Pakistani authorities announced on Friday that five civilians were killed and more than ten others injured following artillery shelling by the Indian Army targeting multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pakistani-administered side of Kashmir.

According to Samaa TV, the Indian shelling hit residential areas, resulting in casualties and property damage, as reported by official sources.

In response, the Pakistani military retaliated, describing the actions as defensive operations, amid rising tensions along the LoC, where armed skirmishes have intensified in recent days.

The disputed Kashmir region, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has witnessed a surge in military confrontations, sparking fears of a broader conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors.