Jammu, July 17 (IANS): A five-year-old girl and a soldier were killed on Monday as Pakistani troops shelled and fired along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The girl, identified as Saida of Balakote in Poonch district, died when she was hit by a Pakistani shell.

According to Defence Ministry spokesman Lt. Col Manish Mehta, the soldier, Naik Muddasar Ahmed, was critically injured when mortar shells landed on his bunker in Rajouri district's Tarkundi area. 

"He was taken to the medical emergency room where he succumbed to his injuries," he said. 

Ahmed, 37, belonged to Pulwama district. He is survived by his wife and two children.

"Naik Muddasar Ahmed was a brave and sincere soldier. He loved his job to the core. The nation will always remain indebted to his sacrifice and devotion to duty," Mehta noted.

After resorting to unprovoked shelling and firing in Bhimber Gali sector of the Line of Control around 7.30 a.m., the Pakistani troops began heavy shelling and firing in Mendhar and Balakote sectors.

"The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively," the spokesman added around 2.15 p.m.