Srinagar, April 10: Amid the global scare of deadly coronavirus, the armies of India and Pakistan Friday afternoon exchanged heavy artillery on the Line of Control (LOC) at Keran sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district amidst the abrupt internet shutdown for several hours.

An official said this afternoon Pakistan army restored to unprovoked ceasefire violation with heavy artillery, which was retaliated “befittingly by Indian army.”

He said that this afternoon Pakistani army targeted the forward posts of Indian Army in Keran sector with heavy artillery without caring about the civilian population living at the LoC and other places, who could be seen running for cover. The fire was retaliated heavily, in no time and Pakistani army’s efforts to cause damage was given befitting reply, the official said.

The locals living in areas like, Zurhama, Jumgand, Farkin and Panzgam, Juktiyal and adjoining areas said they thought war has started and many of them shifted to safer places. The locals said that after every shell was fired their houses were shaken like never before.

“The elderly with ailing conditions and children seemed to be more frightened due to heavy shelling,” said locals.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara, Shriram Ambarkar said that the cross border shelling started early in the afternoon and ended about 02:00 pm.

He said that the damage to civilian population or any injury caused isn’t known so far but they are assessing the situation.

A top official in the district when asked why the internet services were suspended in the area said it was the decision of higher-ups and they have no information about the temporary suspension of internet.

Pertinently, the mobile internet services were snapped in entire police district Kupwara on Friday afternoon around 12:20 pm for unknown reasons while the service was resumed after couple of hours on all the platforms.