Indian firing wounds 7 civilians in Pakistan

At least seven more civilians including three women were injured as Indian troops opened unprovoked firing across Line of Control (LoC) violating the ceasefire on Friday. According to officials, the ceasefire violations took place in Batot, Lanjot, Balakot and Dheri Dabsi villages of Nakial sector in southern Kotli district of Pakistan side of Kashmir. A senior local administration official, Deputy Commissioner Masood ur Rehman told that two people were admitted to the hospital in Nakial and Kotli sector as they were seriously wounded where five others were sent home after first aid. The official after visiting the area along with senior military official told that four houses and two vehicles were badly damaged as Indian troops fired mortar shells in the area. Mr. Masood said, "The morale of the residents in affected areas is high. There has been no displacement in any area." The Indian troops opened fire on 4 am on Thursday and continued it till afternoon and on Thursday night till wee hours of Friday using mortar shells as well. The Pakistani troops responded to the Indian aggression properly and retaliated the firing. The Director General of Health of Kashmir, Dr. Abdul Quddus Akhtar told that an emergency was imposed in all health hospitals canceling the vacations of all doctors and paramedics in view of the escalation along the LoC. Earlier, the tension between Indian and Pakistan rose as India accused Pakistan Army of being involved in the killings of its five soldiers in Indian side of Kashmir, however the allegation was clearly denied by Pakistan Foreign Office and military leadership declaring it as baseless allegation. On August 8, Pakistani military officials alleged that Indian troops opened unprovoked fire and seriously wounded a male civilian along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan side of Kashmir. Pakistan has also protested against the aggression by the Indian protestors targeting its High Commission in New Delhi and demanded the Indian government to provide security to the diplomats. Moreover, Indian protesters also stopped Dosti bus (friendship bus) traveling from New Delhi to Lahore city chanting slogans against Pakistan. The Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif urged India to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries by sitting together and making a new beginning.