At least eight people were killed and 29 others injured on Wednesday amid heavy shelling in the town of Poonch, located near the Line of Control in Indian-administered Kashmir, AFP reports citing local officials.
Local revenue officer Azhar Majid confirmed the casualties from Poonch’s main hospital, stating that the injuries and deaths resulted from an intense exchange of artillery fire between Indian and Pakistani forces.
The shelling began early in the morning and continued for several hours, forcing many residents to flee or take shelter in bunkers.
Authorities have deployed emergency response teams and intensified patrolling along the border to prevent further escalation.
The incident comes amid rising tensions following recent military strikes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
