MUZAFFARABAD: In another harrowing episode along the Line of Control (LoC), Indian forces launched heavy artillery shelling shortly after midnight on Saturday, continuing sporadically until midday. The assault claimed 13 more civilian lives, including that of a three-year-old girl, and left over 55 injured in various parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), the latest violence has brought the total death toll to 30, following missile strikes earlier in the week on AJK’s urban centers, which were succeeded by relentless and indiscriminate shelling across the region.
Officials reported that shelling intensified after Fajr prayers, with civilian areas targeted using heavy weaponry, causing widespread destruction.
In Poonch district, three residents of Chaffar village in Abbaspur tehsil — Areesha (26), her daughter Hadia (3), and Rehman Jan (60) — were killed.
In Kotli district, Robila Javed (35) was martyred in Bandli village (Khuiratta tehsil), Kaneez Begum (50) in Thalla Laat, and Muhammad Fazil (70) in Seri Tangar (Nakyal tehsil). Four men and two women were also wounded in Kotli.
In Neelum valley, Ali Ahmed Butt (20) died in Bugna village, while three men and two women sustained injuries. While no deaths were reported in Jhelum valley, three men and a child were wounded in different areas.
Haveli district also reported four injuries, including one child.
The highest number of casualties occurred in Barnala tehsil of Bhimber district, where six civilians — Muhammad Junaid (18), Allah Log (65), Shahmeen (50), Nabeel (15), Moon Shah (18), and Aitraz Shah (13) — were killed. Sixteen others, including five women and one child, were injured.
Indian forces continued firing in violation of the ceasefire, particularly in Barnala, Moyel, Kot Jaimal, Watala, Nandpur, and Thub, according to local police and administration officials, who confirmed the ongoing shelling but requested anonymity.
In Neelum valley, locals remained deeply skeptical about the ceasefire announcement, citing what they described as India’s history of repeated violations and broken trust.
