Friday, Apr 19, 2024 | Last Update : 05:18 AM IST
Border firing escalates
Pakistani Rangers overnight pounded border hamlets and outposts with mortar shells and opened fire from automatic weapons along the Intern-ational Border in Jammu’s RS Pura sector, triggering a fresh
Pakistani Rangers overnight pounded border hamlets and outposts with mortar shells and opened fire from automatic weapons along the Intern-ational Border in Jammu’s RS Pura sector, triggering a fresh wave of evacuation in vulnerable villages.
Over 1,000 people living close to the border migrated to safety and people were told to stay indoors even during daytime. More than 50 schools in vulnerable villages have been shut, said Jammu’s deputy commissioner Simrandeep Singh.
India crossed the LoC to target terror launch pads after Pakistan-based terrorists killed 19 soldiers at an Army base in Kashmir’s Uri last month, resulting in an escalation of cross-border firing.
“Pakistani Rangers also fired 60 and 81 mm mortar bomb shells intermittently from 11 PM till early morning in Bidipur and Karotana in Suchetgarh sub-sector”, Mr Singh said. Pakistani Rangers tried to snipe at a jawan on an observation tower but he jumped off it and injured his feet, said BSF Inspector General DK Uphadayaya.
The fresh firing and shelling come after the BSF said it killed seven Pakistani Rangers and a militant in the Kathua sector on Friday after multiple ceasefire violations by the other side, injuring 26-year-old soldier Gurnam Singh.
Bulletproof vehicles were pressed into service overnight to evacuate over 400 people rattled by the sound of Pakistani mortar bombing and firing in border hamlets. Border dwellers in Kathua district have been experiencing sleepless nights due to the intensified shelling and firing by Pakistani Rangers.
“We have asked the authorities to ensure safety of the people as firing and shelling exchanges have increased. We don’t want civilians to suffer”, Mr Uphadayaya said. Meanwhile as Gurnam Singh battles for life, his family requested that he be shifted to a better hospital outside the state. People made a beeline to his house in Arichana village with prayers on their lips for his early recovery.
“Since we got the news about the incident we have been praying to Waheguru,” said Gurjeet Kour, sister of Gurnam. She said that her brother was in a critical condition and the government must shift him to a bigger hospital outside the state.
