Nine Pak. soldiers killed in Rajouri

JAMMU, AUG. 19. At least nine Pakistan soldiers and three civilians were killed when Indian security personnel hit back at shelling from across the border in Rajouri district of Jammu, a senior Army official said here tonight.

Retaliating to the shelling by Pakistan troops, Indian soldiers shot dead nine Pakistan soldiers in Keri sector of Rajouri district on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, Brig. P.C. Das said.

Pakistan soldiers started firing at the Indian post to provide cover fire to a group of 20 militants trying to sneaking into the State. As the Indian troops fired back, 12 Pakistanis, nine troops and three civilians, were reported by the border observatory post in Keri sector as having been killed.

G>The area has witnessed heavy shelling by Pakistan troops which set off migration of some border residents to safer places.G>An AFP report from Islamabad said a Pakistan military spokesperson denied reports that nine soldiers and three civilians were killed in the retaliatory shelling along the Line of Control. ``It is totally baseless and concocted claim, aimed at indulging in unfounded propaganda. No such incident, whatsoever, took place in the area,'' he said in a statement.

- PTI

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