A child and soldier killed in Pakistan shelling on LoC

Jammu: A five-year-old girl and a soldier were killed on Monday as Pakistani troops shelled and fired along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, the state police said.

The girl, identified as Saida of Balakote in Poonch district, died when she was hit by a Pakistani shell.

The soldier was killed in Rajouri district’s Tarkundi area, but no further details were available.

After resorting to unprovoked shelling and firing in Bhimber Gali sector of the Line of Control earlier on Monday, the Pakistani troops began heavy shelling and firing in Mendhar and Balakote sectors.

Defence Ministry spokesman Lt. Col. Manish Mehta said the firing exchanges are still ongoing.

The Indian Army was retaliating strongly and effectively, he added.