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APP adds: According to Mohammad Younis, one of the injured, some 15 people stormed into the isolated house of her sister, some 100 yards from the Line of Control, at 12.15 a.m. "It was pitch dark as lights had gone off."

"The Indians fired three rockets before storming the house. They later sprayed bullets on the 16 people who were fast asleep," Younis stated.

"We had gathered for Khatam-e-Quran (Recitation of Holy Quran) in my sister's house," Younis said who escaped through the backyard window.

When asked about the identity of the attackers, Younis said, "The Indians were wearing green uniforms and long boots."

Mohammad Younis said that the Indian troops first opened fire at his wife. "They were heavily armed. When the Indian soldiers fired at my wife, I was certain they would spare no one."

"The wanton firing continued for about 10 minutes," said Younis, who sustained bullet injury on his left shoulder and was removed to the Combined Military Hospital, Kotli.

"We were unarmed. We had assembled for Khatam-e-Quran," he added.

Brigadier Dilshad Hussain Malik, Commander Kotli, told journalists that Indian soldiers used infantry and fired, mortar shells and engaged Pakistani troops in the area in cross-firing before launching the brutal attack on the house.

He said Indian soldiers heavily fired bombs of 51 and 52mm calibre.

"It's an open act of terrorism conducted by Indian army."

It was a very well-conceived operation which was carried out in a ghastly manner, he told newsmen.

Brigadier Malik said, "it was an act of cowardice on the part of Indian army. No soldier could commit such an act."

He said the Indian troops who attacked the house and slaughtered the innocent people were equipped with daggers, grenades and other sharp-edged weapons.

"Indian troops even took away limbs and heads of some of the victims," he said.

Responding to a question, he said, the Indian army had carried out this brutal act out of frustration, owing to the tough resistence they are confronted with in the occupied Kashmir.