Poonch, J&K – A 65-year-old woman lost her life and another civilian was critically injured in the early hours of Wednesday after Pakistan initiated unprovoked artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.
According to official sources, the shelling began around 2 a.m. in the Balakote and Mendhar sectors, targeting civilian areas with heavy mortar fire. The deceased, identified as Resham Bi, was reportedly trying to move her livestock to safety when a mortar shell landed near her residence, killing her on the spot. Another local woman, Hakam Bi, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“The shelling lasted for about 45 minutes and was completely unprovoked,” said a senior army official. “Our forces responded with strong and calibrated retaliation.”
This incident adds to the growing list of ceasefire violations in recent months, as tensions along the LoC continue to escalate despite the ceasefire agreement signed in 2021. Local residents expressed fear and frustration over the recurring cross-border hostilities that frequently endanger civilian lives.
Authorities have begun efforts to relocate vulnerable families living close to the LoC and are assessing the damage in the affected villages.
Further investigation into the incident is ongoing.
