RAWALPINDI, Oct 20 (DNA): At least nine Indian soldiers were killed, many others injured and two bunkers destroyed by Pakistan Army in retaliation to unprovoked firing that targeted civilians near the Line of Control (LoC), Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR) said in a statement on Sunday.

“Pakistan Army troops “effectively responded” to the latest Indian
ceasefire violations, deliberately targeting civilians, in Jura, Shahkot
and Nousehri sectors along the Line of Control,” the Director General
ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted Sunday.

According to a tweet by the ISPR chief, one soldier of Pakistan Army and
three civilians embraced martyrdom. Besides, two soldiers and five
civilians sustained injuries in an exchange of fire.

Two bunkers of the Indian army were also destroyed in firing by
Pakistani troops.

In another tweet, the ISPR stated: “Targeting innocent civilians by
Indian Army is an attempt to justify their false claims of targeting
alleged camps. Injured civilians evacuated to District hospitals.
UNMOGIP as well as domestic & foreign media have open access to AJK, a
liberty not available in IOJ&K.”

Targeting innocent civilians by Indian Army is an attempt to justify
their false claims of targeting alleged camps. Injured civilians
evacuated to District hospitals. UNMOGIP as well as domestic & foreign
media have open access to AJK, a liberty not available in IOJ&K.

The Indian provocation comes as tensions remain high between India and
Pakistan over the former s move to revoke occupied Kashmir s special
autonomy on August 5.

Earlier, two children among three members of a family were martyred and
seven others injured in unprovoked Indian shelling from across the
restive Line of Control (LoC) on October 15.

Talking to journalists, Kahuta’s superintendent of police (SP) said that
Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Rawalakot sector across
the LoC and resultantly three members of a family were martyred and
seven others received serious injuries. He said that the rescue
officials shifted the bodies and the injured to the hospital.

The police officer said that the family was killed after a mortar shell,
fired by Indian troops, hit their house located in Naza Pir sector area
of Rawalakot.

The deceased were identified as Ghulam Muhammad, Haider, 10 and Maryam,
11, while Amna bibi, Safeena bibi, Naseeb Jan and other were injured.

Pakistan and India had declared ceasefire along the LoC, the de facto
border between both countries in disputed Kashmir region, and the
Working Boundary in 2003; however, both sides routinely exchange fire
and accuse each other of ceasefire violations.

Tension has been heightened after India lifted a special status for the
Indian-controlled Kashmir in August. In its reaction, Pakistan
downgraded its diplomatic relations, suspended trade relations and train
service with India.

Indian media quoted police as saying that two Indian army soldiers were
killed in Pakistani firing along LoC in Tangdhar sector on Sunday.

In India, officials said on Sunday Indian troops launched major attack
on what they claimed terror camps inside Pakistan-administered Kashmir
and inflicted heavy casualties.

Residents living near the LoC in Pakistan-administered Kashmir confirmed
heavy shelling by the Indian troops Saturday night.