Jammu and Kashmir: Five civilians killed in cross border shelling in Mendhar sector
Army Public Relations Officer Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said civilian areas were specifically targeted.
Five civilians were killed in Pakistani shelling on Sunday morning along the Line of Control in Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, Director General of Police SP Vaid said. Two people who were injured are being treated at a hospital.
The shelling from across the border began around 7.30 am in Balakote area. Mohammad Ramzan, his wife and three sons were killed, while his two daughters were injured. State police chief SP Vaid said Nasreen Kouser and Mahreen Kouser were airlifted and admitted to the government medical college and hospital in Jammu, reported the Hindustan Times.
“They are specifically targeting civilian areas,” Army Public Relations Officer Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said, according to PTI.
“This is highly condemnable,” said Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh, according to NDTV. “Pakistan is doing this out of frustration as it is suffering heavy losses in the hands of security forces. The Modi government has allowed unprecedented professional freedom to security forces to to respond in a manner they deem fit.”
Due to shelling from across in Balakote sector of Poonch 5 civilians of a family died & 2 are injured who are being shifted to hospital.
— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) March 18, 2018
#WATCH: Pakistan violates ceasefire in Balakote sector. #JammuAndKashmir (earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/02lvon6MkM
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018
The attack comes a day after suspected militants fired at the convoy of police chief in Shopian district. On March 16, three suspected militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Balhama area of Pulwama district.