Pak shelling: JCO succumbs to injuries; 7 soldiers die in 1 week

Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Subedar Shashi Kumar succumbed to his injuries at the Command Hospital Udhampur on Wednesday. A victim of Pakistani firing and shelling, he was grievously injured during the unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan army in Nowshera sector on Tuesday. With his death, the number of Indian Army soldiers martyred in the recent border flare-up reached seven.

Hailing from Galon village in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, Subedar Shashi Kumar is survived by his wife Santosh Sharma and children.

"Subedar Shashi Kumar was a brave and sincere soldier. He loved his job to the core. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," said Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta, Defence spokesman, Jammu.

Subedar Kumar is the third soldier to have been killed by Pakistan army in the last 24 hours on the LoC.

"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, and mortars from 8.45am in BG sector along the Line of Control. Pakistan Army also resorted to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from 11.45 am in Poonch sector. Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively", said Lieutenant Colonel Mehta