Family of cross-border firing victim provided exgratia relief in JK's Poonch

The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district today handed over a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of a man killed in small arms firing by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gulpur sector yesterday.

Mohammad Ikhlaq (22), a resident of Kalsan Malti Baghal Dhara village, was killed outside his house when he was hit by a bullet during ceasefire violation by Pakistan, raising the death toll in cross-border firing this year to 32, including 16 security personnel, in over 700 such incidents.

Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, along with a team of officers, visited the bereaved family and expressed grief over his death, an official spokesperson said.

He said he also handed over Rs 1 lakh as financial assistance to the family and assured them that more financial assistance under norms would be provided shortly.