Deadly Shelling
At least 11 civilians, including women and children, lost their lives while 56 others sustained injuries when Indian forces carried out unprovoked shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) late Friday night.
The incident marks one of the deadliest cross-border attacks in recent days, significantly escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
According to AJK Information Minister Mazhar Saeed, the shelling targeted densely populated civilian areas in the Neelum Valley region, with Ratta Pani and Bor villages bearing the brunt of the bombardment. The sudden and intense artillery assault triggered chaos and panic among the local population, many of whom were asleep when the shelling began.
“Indian forces deliberately targeted civilian settlements under the cover of darkness,” Minister Saeed said while addressing a press briefing in Muzaffarabad on Saturday. “These were not accidental strikes — this was a clear and calculated act of aggression aimed at terrorising innocent people.”
He confirmed that among the 56 injured were several women and children, many of whom sustained serious wounds. Medical teams have been dispatched to provide emergency care, and hospitals in nearby districts are on high alert to treat the influx of casualties.
In response to the shelling, local authorities swiftly evacuated the most vulnerable areas. “We have successfully evacuated the residents of Ratta Pani and Bor villages and relocated them to safer zones. Relief operations are ongoing,” Saeed stated.
He further added that the AJK government, in collaboration with Pakistan’s federal agencies, was closely monitoring the situation and had deployed resources to ensure the protection and care of affected families. Emergency shelters have been established, and food and medical supplies are being distributed.
The attack has sparked widespread condemnation across Pakistan, with officials warning that continued Indian aggression risks triggering a broader regional crisis. Meanwhile, Islamabad has urged the international community to take immediate notice of the violation of international humanitarian law and India’s continued targeting of civilians.
As the region braces for potential further escalation, the tragic events in Neelum Valley serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgency of diplomatic efforts to prevent further bloodshed.
