Killing of civilians in Kupwara a gruesome act, deserves strong condemnation: Altaf Thakur

Urges DC Kupwara to provide immediate ex-gratia to NoK’s of slain, injured and to conduct fast-track damage assessment of shelling

SRINAGAR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K spokesman, Altaf Thakur on Monday lashed out at Pakistan and its Army for resorting to "unprovoked and unjustified" ceasefire violation in Tangdhar, Keran and Chowkibal areas of Kupwara district which left three civilians including a woman and an eight-year-old boy dead.

Thakur said that it a highly condemnable act and reflects frustration on part of the neighbouring country at a time when the entire world is fighting COVID-19 pandemic, it is resorting to unprovoked ceasefire violation.

In a statement issued here, Thakur said that it was painful to see massive damage caused to residential houses in Chowkibal, Keran, and Timuna-Vilgam village besides wails and shrieks of those whose loved ones have been killed.

The BJP leader said that Pakistan must mend its ways and stop funding terror and targeting innocent civilians who live along the Line of Control in Kupwara district of north Kashmir.

He said that there are reports of massive damage to property worth lakhs and also many cattle including sheep and cows have died as well. Thakur said Pakistan must work to stop spread of pandemic rather than targeting innocent civilians. "Killing of civilians in shelling is highly condemnable and is a gruesome act and world community should take serious note of it," he said.

The BJP leader also urged the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara to go for a detailed damage assessment and to release immediate ex-gratia in favour of next of kin (NoKs) of those who were killed in shelling and also for those who were left injured.

He said a thorough damage assessment of houses damaged, cattle and other livestock lost should also be done and affected be granted immediate relief.