BARAMULLA: Intense exchange of fire and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Uri on Wednesday claimed life of a woman and an army soldier.
The firing that continued till evening erupted in Hajipeer area at around 11.30am with initially small arms fire exchange that later saw use of mortar shells that struck several villages in the area.
Sources told Kashmir Reader that one solider of 18th Maratha Light Infantry Brajesh Karke was killed at Rustum post.
SDM Uri Riyaz Ahmad Malik confirmed to Kashmir Reader that a solider has been killed. He, however, said that conformation about the death of women is yet to be received.
Sources said that a woman Naseema Begum wife of Ikhlaq Ahmad Khatana of Churanda got severely wounded and later succumbed after a shell exploded near her house.
Station House Officer Police Station Uri Zai-ul-Haq said that they too have received reports about the death of a woman, but due to ongoing firing they could not confirm it from the ground.
A village elder Lal Din Ahmad confirmed the death of the woman adding that heavy shelling has created fear among the inhabitants.
Another villager Ghulam Qadir Chalkoo of Silikote village said that their area too saw heavy shelling which resulted in inhabitants taking refuge at safer places or any underground basements in their houses.
Many villagers who left their villages for work in the morning could not return and were stuck in Uri town.
He added that human movement has been significantly reduced and many missed their meals during the day.
Other areas that saw firing include Batgram Hatlanga, Nambla, Soura.
The exchange of firing was going on till the report was filed.

Mushtaq Ahamd