In a grave escalation along the Line of Control (LoC), unprovoked Indian shelling claimed the lives of five Pakistani civilians and left over a dozen injured. The cross-border assault targeted multiple sectors of the Poonch division, including Rawalakot, Hajira, Neelum Valley, and Kotli, with Pakistan Army forces retaliating swiftly and decisively.
Local authorities reported that the Pakistan Army responded with force, effectively neutralizing Indian positions responsible for the artillery barrage. In the Khoirta sector of Kotli, four civilians — including a young girl — lost their lives. Over ten others were wounded and transported to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kotli for urgent medical care. The shelling struck densely populated civilian areas, intensifying the human toll.
In Rawalakot, 22-year-old Osama Ishrat, recently married just ten days earlier, was martyred in the shelling. His two sisters were injured in the same attack. In Hajira, at least three others were reported wounded and subsequently taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, in Neelum Valley, Indian forces continued their bombardment for a third consecutive day, targeting villages in Shahkot, Jura, Athmaqam, Dodanial, Sharda, Kiel, and Helmat. Pakistani troops launched a fierce counteroffensive, silencing enemy guns and defending affected areas.
A youth from the Upper Kiel area suffered serious injuries, and mortar fire damaged infrastructure, including a National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office in Kiel. Emergency measures were implemented in Athmaqam, where the District Headquarters Hospital declared a state of emergency to accommodate the rising number of casualties.
In a deeply troubling development, local officials reported that Indian forces have allegedly placed toy-shaped explosive devices along the LoC. Authorities have issued public warnings, advising civilians to stay clear of unidentified objects due to the danger posed by these disguised munitions.
Adding to the volatile situation, Pakistan’s military reported successfully shooting down an Indian quadcopter that crossed into its airspace. The unmanned aerial vehicle was intercepted and destroyed near the Baghsar area of Samahani, Azad Kashmir, at 3:15 AM.
These repeated violations have significantly heightened tensions in the region, as Pakistan continues to respond with both military and humanitarian measures to protect civilians and secure the border.
