Two civilians including a woman were killed and eight others were injured as Pakistani army violated the ceasefire and shelled forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.“Two civilians were killed, while eight others were hurt in the Pakistani shelling in the Shahpur sector”, confirmed,Ramesh Angral, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Poonch.

“Pak army initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by intense firing of small arms and shelling with mortars in Shahpur and Kirni sectors around 2.30 pm. The army posts are retaliating strongly and effectivelyto shelling and firing from Pakistan army”, said, PRO defence, Lt Col Devender Anand.

The civilians were hit by splinters from mortar shells in Bandi Chechian area in Shahpur sector.Two of the villagers who suffered critical injuries died on the spot, were identified as Gulnaz and Shoaib. The injured were later rushed to district hospital in Poonch, where their condition was described as stable.

The shelling has triggered panic among the people living in forward areas. According to officials, the firing was intense and was still continuing till the evening.

On Saturday and Sunday too, Pakistan had shelled forward areas along the LoC in Shahpur and Qasba sectors of Poonch district which drew Indian retaliation.