LoC flares up after Pakistani army kills Indian soldier, woman in Uri

Srinagar: Line of Control (LoC) became a Line of Conflict after Pakistan troops resorted to heavy shelling on Indian forward positions and civilian areas. This attack left a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and a woman dead in Hajipur sector of Uri.

Army sources said the incident occurred on Wednesday when Pakistan army resorted to heavy shelling and firing, targeting Indian forward posts and civilian areas. In the event, one army soldier received grievous wounds. The soldier, identified as Subaidar Veeresha Kurahatti, was evacuated to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Later, the Pakistani army shifted gears and pounded civilian areas near the LoC. Some of the shells landed in Charunda village in which one woman, identified as Naseema, was killed. “She had suffered splinter injuries in her neck,” said Riyaz Malik, Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Uri.

Indian army immediately swung into action and responded in equal measure to silence Pakistani guns. “It was peaceful today. There was no report of firing and shelling from any part of Uri,” said Malik.

Cross-border shelling has wreaked havoc on the Charunda village with more than 12 houses suffering extensive damage. Fear has gripped villagers living near the Line of Control prompting authorities to issue advisory urging people not to panic. The local administration has also asked the officers and men to remain on alert to deal with any emergency. “We have issued an advisory, urging people to inform police or army post if they found any unexploded shell. They should not touch or fiddle with any stray shell. They should inform us so that we can send our experts to defuse the explosive material,” said Malik.

Authorities have also kept alternative accommodation ready for people in case shelling intensifies. “If people feel insecure, they can move to our shelter house. We have made arrangements of boarding and lodging in Government Higher Secondary School, Uri. We have also made adequate heating arrangements,” added Malik

Around four families have already been putting up in the school for the past two months when Pakistan pounded Charunda village. “Eight families were staying at the school. Later, four of them went back. We have made adequate arrangements to lodge people in case of emergencies,” he said

On Tuesday night, Pakistani rangers opened at another front in Kathua district when they attacked Indian posts and civilians areas along the International Border.