Two soldiers killed in cross-border shelling in Uri

Srinagar:  Two Army soldiers who were earlier injured critically in cross-border shelling in Uri sector of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district succumbed to injuries in a military hospital on Friday late evening.

Official sources said that four soldiers were injured in the shelling and were evacuated to nearby Army health facility where two of them later succumbed to injuries. The deceased have been identified as Havaldar Gokaran Singh and Naik Shankar S P Coy.

Two other injured soldiers were identified as Havaldar Narayan Singh and Naik Pradeep Bhat.

“Today at about 15:30 hours, Pakistan initiated an unprovoked Ceasefire Violation (CFV) along the LoC in Rampur Sector, District Baramulla (J&K). Three soldiers have been injured in the CFV,” army’s Spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia had said. “Indian Army is retaliating befittingly,” the spokesman had said late Friday.

Earlier, four persons namely Shanaza Bano (12) daughter of Bashir Ahmad, Tahira Bano (20) wife of Liyaqat Ali , Touseef Ahmad Khatana (4) son of Bashir Ahmad Khatana and Hassan Bee wife of Husan Din Koli suffered injuries at Churanda village. According to police, the incident occurred after several shells landed in civilian areas which also created panic at Chrunda, Batgran, Hathlanga, Mothal, Sahoora, Silikote, Balkote, Nambla, Garkote areas.

Some splinters also landed in main town Uri and was also seen near the SDM office.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Uri Reyaz Ahmad Malik had also confirmed the injuries due to the shelling. Among the injured, the SDM said that three were seriously wounded and were shifted to Sub-District Hospital Uri for treatment. (GNS inputs)