Woman killed, houses damaged in Pak shelling along LoC in Kashmir

A woman was killed and few others sustained injuries as Pakistani forces engaged in heavy artillery shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, officials reported on Friday. The intense shelling also inflicted substantial property damage in the border districts of Baramulla and Kupwara.

Residents reported that the heavy weaponry fire commenced late Thursday night, leaving a trail of destruction across numerous villages in the two districts by Friday morning.

In the Baramulla district, multiple villages surrounding Uri town came under heavy shelling. Tragically, a 38-year-old woman, identified as Nargis Bashir, was killed when a shell struck her vehicle in the evening. Police sources indicated that two of her relatives traveling with her were also injured and have been admitted to a hospital in Baramulla, where their condition is reported as stable.

Kupwara district also witnessed extensive damage in various areas due to what locals described as “intense” shelling involving heavy artillery. Across both districts, over 40 structures have been damaged in the preceding 24 hours.

A senior police official stated that the overnight shelling was relentless, with shells landing deep within towns, compelling residents of border villages to flee their homes.

Police sources further revealed that over the past few days, more than 150 buildings, including both residential and government properties, have been damaged by Pakistani shelling in north Kashmir.

Following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Pakistan had been engaging in small arm fire along the LoC in north Kashmir. However, subsequent to India’s launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’, Pakistan has escalated its aggression, resorting to heavy artillery shelling along both the Line of Control and the International Border.

On Friday, the Army reported numerous ceasefire violations (CFVs) initiated by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

Soldier killed in LoC firing in Rajouri

A soldier was killed in action along the LoC in Nowshera of Rajouri when Pakistan army launched heavy fire early on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Murali Naik (23), who belonged to Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh.

Naik was injured during intense shelling by Pakistan and later passed away during treatment. Andra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, in a post on X, stated, “Tributes to the martyr Murali Nayak who laid down his life for the country.”

J & K