J&K Ceasefire Violation: Five Civilians of Same Family Killed After Pakistani Troops Open Firing in Balakote Sector
Heavy arms were reportedly used in the attack while heavy shelling was reported from Poonch and Rajauri.
Balakote, March 18: In another ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir’s Balakote sector on Sunday, five civilians have been killed while two have been severely injured. As per reports, the five members belong to the same family. The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Ramzan, Malka Bi, Faizan, Rizwan and Mehreen. On Sunday, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire at around 7:45 AM and opened indiscriminate fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote sector of Poonch district.
Heavy arms were reportedly used in the attack while heavy shelling was reported from Poonch and Rajauri. They were rushed to the hospital, said SP Vaid, DG of J&K Police. Speaking to ANI, Vaid said, “Due to shelling from across in Balakote sector of Poonch, 5 civilians died and 2 are injured who are being shifted to the hospital.” More details awaited.
The recent violations have increased the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan. Earlier this month, a similar incident was reported from Poonch sector. Pakistani troops had resorted to firing of small arms, automatics and mortars. In wake of the repeated incidences of ceasefire violation at the India-Pakistan border, the Congress had earlier slammed the government.
Congress spokesperson Pramod Tiwari had said that National security has become limited to the speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tiwari claimed that there is a 500-time increase in ceasefire violations. He said there have been 2,474 ceasefire violations since this government came to power in 2014.
The ceasefire violation on Sunday comes days after Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif ruled out talks with India, saying he did not expect improvement in relations due to alleged frequent ceasefire violations by India. "India is violating ceasefire agreement time and again on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary. In such circumstances we are not expecting improvement in relations between the two countries," Asif was quoted as saying by state-run Radio Pakistan.
In February, Pakistan Pakistan violated ceasefire in Uri and targeted the civilians. As per reports, over 1,000 civilians, including women and children, stranded due to the Pakistani shelling and firing, were rescued in guarded ambulances in Baramulla’s Uri.
In the last month, the Pakistan Foreign Office had claimed that Indian forces had committed more than 190 ceasefire violations since the start of 2018, killing 13 civilians and injuring 65 others through the use of heavy mortars and automatic weapons. But India has made it clear to Islamabad that the onus is on Pakistan to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue between the two countries.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 18, 2018 11:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).