SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Three soldiers were killed and five others injured in unprovoked firing by Pakistan army along the Line of Control in J&K in the last 24 hours, an Army spokesman said on Thursday. While two soldiers were killed in Naugam Sector of Kupwara in north Kashmir on Thursday morning, the third was martyred in Krishna Ghati (KG) Sector of Poonch district in Jammu region the previous night.
“Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation along LoC in Naugam Sector this (Thursday) morning by firing mortars and other weapons. Two soldiers — Havildar Kuldeep Singh of 15 SIKHLI and Rifleman Shubham Sharma of 8 JAKRIF — were killed and four others injured. The injured soldiers are being evacuated,” army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said in Srinagar. He added that “befitting response is being given to the enemy”.
In the Wednesday night ceasefire violation in KG Sector, Lance Naik Karnail Singh was killed and Rifleman Virender Singh was injured. In fact, both suffered injuries and were shifted to 150 GH Rajouri by helicopter. Karnail Singh died before he was admitted and his body was brought back to battalion headquarters of 10 JAKRIF. Virender Singh, who sustained injuries in his right eye, is undergoing treatment.
Defence PRO (Jammu) Lt Col Devender Anand said, “Lance Naik Karnail Singh was a brave, highly motivated and a sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty.”
Karnail Singh, who belonged to Loha Kheda village in Sangrur district of Punjab, was due to come home on leave this week. He is survived by his wife, infant son, elderly parents and four siblings.
With winters at hand, Pakistan is desperate to push terrorists saturated at launch pads into Indian side before heavy snowfall begins, Lt Col Anand said.
(With inputs from Bharat Khanna in Patiala)