India, Oct. 12 -- At least four residents of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) were killed in a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) blast near the Line of Control (LoC), adjacent to the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district, on Monday, officials said.

The explosion reportedly occurred in the Satwal-Naki area of Hajira tehsil in PoJK when a group of people was laying water pipes along the Pakistan side of the LoC, according to preliminary information received by officials from across the border.

The deceased were identified as Faizan Sagheer, Ishtiaq, Waqas Sharief and Asim Rafiq, all residents of Battal Mandhol village in PoJK. The four were reportedly cousins.

Officials said the circumstances leading to the explosio...