War Crimes: Indian Shelling Claims Innocent Lives in AJK

In a heart-wrenching escalation of cross-border violence, Indian shelling along the Line of Control has left a trail of death, sorrow, and devastation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian shelling in the Khuiratta sector and Bagh district of Kotli in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has resulted in the deaths of four civilians, including a 40-day-old infant and her mother. Several others, mostly women and children, were seriously injured in the attacks.

One of the most severely affected areas was the village of Gora in Khuiratta. In this village, Samra Asif and her infant daughter lost their lives when heavy shelling struck their home. Another resident, Raja Shehpal from Balial, was also martyred. Five more individuals suffered serious injuries in the same area, including Imtiaz Begum, wife of Khurshid Gursi, and three other women—Afra Khurshid, Tahira Khurshid, and Zubeena—as well as two young children.

Health Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Nisar Ansar Abdali, confirmed the tragic casualties through a post on social media. His statement was later corroborated by Kashmir Digital, a local news outlet that continues to report on the ongoing crisis.

In a separate incident in the Kotidi Najam Khan village of Bagh district, 22-year-old Osama Ishrat was killed during another round of Indian shelling. Osama, who had been married just 10 days earlier, was reportedly targeted early Friday morning. His two sisters were also seriously wounded in the attack.

Rakmal Arif, President of the Bagh Press Club, shared the tragic details of Osama’s untimely death with Kashmir Digital, emphasizing the emotional toll it has taken on the local community.

This recent wave of violence follows heavy shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday night and Friday. The Pakistan Army responded with targeted retaliation, aiming at Indian military posts. However, the Indian forces largely targeted civilian and uninhabited areas, leading to immense human suffering and destruction.

The situation remains tense along the LoC, as fear and uncertainty grip the local population. Families are forced to live under constant threat, and the civilian death toll continues to rise as border hostilities persist.