Firing, shelling from across the border continues, 17 hurt

At least four people were injured today as Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire along the International Border (IB) and Line of Contro...

int(3)

At least four people were injured today as Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control in Jammu region. In shelling from across the border along the IB in the past 24 hours, about 13 people, including three BSF personnel, have been hurt.

After a few hours of calm, Pakistani guns started booming in Samba and Akhnoor sectors again. There was also heavy shelling in Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri district during the day.

As panic-stricken villagers continued to flee, the administration decided to close schools for classes up to Class IX in the affected areas. ‘‘However, we will try to run Class X, XI and XII on the school premises,’’ said B.D. Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua.

Story continues below this ad

Three people were injured at Pargwal village and one in Panjgarain when Pakistani troops targeted forward Indian positions and civilian areas with mortar shells. The Pakistani troops, sources said, targeted Pargwal in the Chicken Neck area after a long time. One forest nursery and three houses were damaged, police said. The injured have been identified as Vishnu Devi of Tikwal (Pargwal), Prem Singh and Ram Lal of Garkhal (Pargwal), besides Mani Ram of Kathua.

Exchange of medium weapons fire and mortar shelling is continuing in several areas in Jammu region, including Kerni, Mendhar, Jallas, Samba, R.S. Pura and Laam.

A BSF spokesman said Pakistan had been firing heavily in Samba sector and Jamnabela area in Akhnoor since morning. ‘‘Apart from mortars, they are also firing heavy machine guns and rockets,’’ said a senior security force officer.

Pakistani shells also continued to pound Nowshera sector in Rajouri. Nearly 200 shells, according to reports, have so far been fired from across the LoC, targeting Indian forward positions and civilian areas.

Story continues below this ad

With no let-up in the firing, people continued to migrate from native places near the border. Police said 270 more families from Nanga village in Samba sector had migrated. Since January last, nearly 15,000 families, sources said, had migrated from near the border areas to safer places. Most of them have been put up in school buildings and tents.