SRINAGAR: Concerned over the rising cases of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that the people of the state are the worst victims of the hostility between the India and Pakistan.
"Distraught to hear of three more civilians caught in the crossfire on the border. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are the worst victims of the acrimony between the two neighbouring countries. I pray that the hostility on the borders ends soon," she said.
The CM made the remark after three people were killed and six injured in firing by Pakistani troops along the International Border (IB) and LoC in Jammu division for the third day on Saturday.
A 17-year-old girl and a BSF jawan were on Friday killed while six people, including five civilians, injured in ceasefire violation in three sectors of Jammu and Samba districts.
Nine persons have been killed so far in ceasefire violations over the last three days.
An Army jawan was on Saturday killed after being hit by a bullet during cross-border firing in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district. The slain soldier was identified as sepoy 23-year-old Mandeep Singh, a resident of Alampur village of Sangroor in Punjab.
Defence officials said the Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms and automatics form 8 am in Krishna Ghati sector, resulting in grievous injuries to Singh who later succumbed.
The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively.
Residents living along the border areas are living in fear due to Pakistani firing. Blood splattered compounds, smashed window panes and demolished roofs can be seen at the houses in border hamlets which have been battered in Pakistani firing and shelling in the last three days.
Farmlands have craters due to mortar bombs and have turned into live minefields. In Jhora farm in RS Pura, 150 khullas or mud houses of Gujjars were burned down in the shelling.
