2-3 Pak soldiers killed in Indian retaliatory firing: Army

At least 2-3 Pakistani armymen are believed to have been killed today in the retaliatory firing by Indian troops in the Noushera sector of Rajouri district

Jammu, Oct 25: At least 2-3 Pakistani armymen are believed to have been killed today in the retaliatory firing by Indian troops in the Noushera sector of Rajouri district while seven women, including six members of a family, were injured in R S Pura sector of Jammu district in cross-border shelling.

Heavy exchange of fire, involving use of 82 mm and 120 mm mortar shells besides small arms, was still going on in the evening after it started at around 10 am.

"From 10 am, Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Noushera sector of Rajouri district by targeting our positions with mortar bombs and small arms fire," an army officer said.

The Indian army is giving a "befitting response" to the ceasefire violation from the Pakistani side, he added. "We have inputs that two to three Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the retaliatory firing by our men," an army officer said.

"The firing is still going on and our side is giving a befitting reply," he said, adding there is no loss of life or injury on our side. In Jammu district, 6 female members of a family were injured in Suchetgarh sector of R S Pura along the International Border after a mortar shell fired by the Pakistan Rangers exploded in their house this evening, another lady was also injured in the Chandu Chak area of the same sector this evening.

The injured have been identified as Shakshi (12), Manju Choudhary (15), Veena (26), Soma Devi (40), Kamlesh Kumari (28), Sanjna (10)- all residents of Suchetgarh and Daljeet Kaur of Chandu Chak area of the sector.

"They were given first aid at R S Pura hospital after which they were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital here," Deputy Commissioner (Jammu) Simrandeep Singh said.

PTI