Jammu/Rajouri
A nine-year-old boy and a teenage girl were killed while 14 others injured as Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling at more than 10 villages and security posts along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir today.

The deceased have been identified as Israr Ahmed of Qasba village and Yasmeen Akhta (16) of Digwar. Among the injured were two soldiers (Sepoys Santosh Gharti and Abhishek of the Gorkha Regiment) and 12 civilians, the condition of four of whom was stated to be critical, said an official.

The Indian troops fired in retaliation and the exchange of fire continued till around 11 am. “The Pakistan army started unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and lobbying of small arms, automatics and mortars at 7.15 am. The Indian Army retaliated effectively,” said Col NN Joshi, defence spokesman.

Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Tariq Ahmad Zargar said four villages, including Qasba, Kirni and Digwar, were worst hit. “Of the four critically injured, two were airlifted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu,” he said. Among the seriously injured was five-year-old Zabia Kousar of Digwar, who sustained splinter injuries in her abdomen and liver, said Dr Niaz Choudhry, Medical Superintendent, Poonch.