Jammu
Three women were injured, one of them critically, in heavy shelling by Pakistan along the Line of Control in the Sawjian sector of Poonch district on Friday.

The district administration said Pakistan targeted civilian areas in the Sawjian sector with mortar shells and small arms firing on Friday morning. It said Gagrian village of Mandi was the most affected.

“Pakistan has targeted civilian areas of Gagrian village in the Mandi area, in which three women were injured. Two have received minor injuries, while one was critically injured and was shifted to Jammu for specialised treatment,” said Rahul Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch.Some houses were also damaged in the shelling.

“Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by resorting to mortar shelling and firing with small arms around 8.30 am along the LoC in the Sawjian sector of Poonch district on Friday,” said Lt Col Devender Anand, defence PRO.

Pakistan used heavy weaponry and 120-mm mortar bombs to target the civilian areas after which the district administration advised the residents to stay indoors.

No cross-border trade has taken place via Poonch in the last two weeks. Earlier, the trade was suspended on April 2 due to continuous truce violation by Pakistan.Pakistan has been continuously violating truce since the start of the year.