The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Sunday, June 16, 2002, Chandigarh, India

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Two killed in Pak shelling
Tribune News Service and Agencies

Jammu, June 15
Two persons, including an Army jawan, were killed and 24 others, of whom 11 were Army men, sustained shrapnel injuries in Pakistani shelling on frontier Indian positions at Kalsian, Digwar, Khari Karmara, Bandi Chechiyan, Mankote and Jhalas areas in Poonch and Nowshera sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) since late last night.

Sources said Pakistani troops from the 10 Corps opened sudden and unprovoked mortar fire on forward Indian formations and villages bordering the LoC in Poonch sector late last night, killing an Army jawan and injuring 11 others. The Pakistanis opened fire on frontline Indian positions at Kalsian and other places along the LoC in Nowshera sector, injuring 13 civilians and an Army jawan.

One civilian, Tasneema Akhtar, in the Khari Karmara area while several border villages in Poonch sector were rocked by Pakistani firing. Some artillery and mortar shells also exploded in Dras, Batalik, Krishna Ghati, Nowshehra and Bhimber gali, according to Defence Ministry sources. The sources said there was no casualty on our side.

The sources said the Indian troops retaliated, killing at least 10 persons across Mandi and Poonch, which included four Pakistani army men. Several Pakistani bunkers and vehicles were destroyed in the Indian retaliatory fire.

Heavy firing and shelling between the two sides was also reported at Sagra, Banal, Challar, Dawrana, Lanaote, Balakote and Basooni in Poonch district.

Shelling also continued in Keri, Chingus and Laam areas of Rajouri district last night. Six shells also fell near the Kashmiri qila post in Mangalnar village in the district. No loss of life or damage to property was reported.

Pakistani troops also pounded Paharpur and Sangral areas of Jammu and Kathua districts with mortar bombs today. No damage was caused on the Indian side.

Indian and Pakistani forces were locked in a fierce mortar duel at Paharpur and Pansar border outposts along the international boundary since this morning, sources said.