BHIMBER (Kashmir English): Despite the ceasefire announced after the US intervention, the Indian army continues to fire and shell across the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in the martyrdom of 13 more civilians, including a 3-year-old girl, and more than 55 others injured in different areas of Azad Kashmir.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), the total number of civilians martyred in Indian shelling and missile attacks has reached 30. In the latest attacks, India targeted two cities in Azad Kashmir with missiles, after which several border areas were subjected to heavy and indiscriminate shelling.
According to officials, the shelling intensified after Fajr prayers, during which the civilian population was targeted with heavy artillery, resulting in massive loss of life and property.
26-year-old Areesha, her three-year-old daughter Hadiya and 60-year-old elder Rehman Jan were martyred in Chafar tehsil of Abbaspur area of Poonch.
In Kotli, 35-year-old Rubela Javed was martyred in village Bandli of Khoi Ratta tehsil, 50-year-old Kaneez Begum in Thala Lot and 70-year-old Muhammad Fazil was martyred in village Seri Tangar of Nakial tehsil. Four men and two women were also injured in these areas.
20-year-old Ali Ahmed Butt lost his life in Bagna village of Neelum Valley. Three men and two women were injured in the valley.
Although no martyrdom was reported in the Jhelum Valley, three men and a child were injured in different areas. Four civilians, including a child, were also injured in Indian firing in Haveli district.
The highest loss of life was reported in Barnala tehsil of Bhimber, where six people were martyred. The martyrs include 18-year-old Muhammad Junaid, 65-year-old Allah Dad, 50-year-old Shahmeen, 15-year-old Nabil, 18-year-old Moon Shah and his 13-year-old brother Aitraz Shah. Sixteen others, including five women and a child, were injured in the area.
A police officer confirmed that despite the ceasefire, Indian forces have resorted to heavy artillery shelling in Barnala, Moyal, Kot Jamal, Watla, Nandpur and Thob. An administration official, on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the ongoing shelling.
Doubts have grown over the Indian ceasefire in the Neelum Valley, with several locals reluctant to trust the announcement, citing India’s past behaviour.
