Escalating Tensions: Pakistan's Ceasefire Violations Lead to Civilian Casualties in Jammu
Civilian Casualties Amid Cross-Border Shelling
Srinagar/Jammu: In a tragic turn of events, three civilians lost their lives due to intense firing and shelling by the Pakistani military across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, as reported by defense sources on Wednesday.
The Indian Army has been retaliating against the shelling, responding in kind to the ceasefire breaches by Pakistani forces, which followed India's missile strikes targeting nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
During the night of May 6-7, the Pakistan Army engaged in indiscriminate firing, including artillery shelling, from various posts along the LoC and IB adjacent to Jammu and Kashmir, according to the sources.
Among the deceased was a woman whose residence was struck by a mortar shell in the Mankote area of Poonch district, resulting in injuries to her 13-year-old daughter.
Additionally, nine other civilians sustained injuries in various sectors of Poonch due to the heavy shelling, but their conditions have been reported as stable.
In light of the ongoing situation, authorities have mandated the closure of all educational institutions in five border districts of the Jammu region for Wednesday.
Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar announced on X, "Given the current circumstances, all schools, colleges, and educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch will remain closed today."
Heavy shelling was also reported in Krishna Ghati and Shahpur sectors in Poonch, as well as Laam, Manjakote, and Gambeer Brahmana in Rajouri district, along with Karnah and Uri sectors in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of north Kashmir.
Indian security forces stationed at the border have retaliated, and reports indicate that cross-border shelling continued as of the latest updates, with many residents seeking refuge in underground bunkers.
This marks the 13th consecutive night of unprovoked firing along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir, amid rising tensions following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities, primarily among tourists.
In response to this horrific incident, Indian armed forces executed missile strikes early Wednesday on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Bahawalpur, a significant base for the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group.
The military operations were conducted under 'Operation Sindoor', as stated by the Indian Army in a release at 1:44 AM.
The additional directorate general of public information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army tweeted, "Pakistan again violates the Ceasefire Agreement by firing artillery in Bhimber Gali in Poonch-Rajauri area. The Indian Army is responding appropriately in a calibrated manner."
Ceasefire violations along the LoC and International Border have been infrequent since India and Pakistan renewed their ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021.
However, following the April 24 suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani troops have engaged in unprovoked firing at various locations along the LoC in J&K, starting from the Kashmir Valley.
Initially, the violations began with small arms fire at several posts along the LoC in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of north Kashmir, but quickly escalated to include the Poonch sector and later the Akhnoor sector in the Jammu region.
This escalation was followed by small arms fire at multiple posts along the LoC in the Sunderbani and Naushera sectors of Rajouri district, eventually spreading to the Pargwal sector along the International Border in Jammu district.
Meanwhile, a significant explosion was reported in the Panthiyal sub-division of Ramban district, though the cause remains unclear at this time.