SRINAGAR: Two civilians including a teenage girl were killed and three others injured on Saturday after Pakistani troops fired from automatic weapons and resorted to mortar shelling on army posts and civilian areas along Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have closed 87 schools in the Nowshera sector for an indefinite period.
Defense spokesman in Jammu, Lt Col Manish Mehta said Pakistani troops resorted to indiscriminate firing from small arms and automatic weapons on army posts and civilian areas in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district from 7.15 am.
He said the Pakistani troops also fired 82 mm and 120 mm mortar shells towards their posts and civilian areas.
An official said two civilians including a girl were killed in Pakistani troops day-long firing and shelling in village Sarya, Khamba, Bhawani, Kalsian, Mahanpur, Dhanaka, Ganya and Khori in Nowhsera sector of Rajouri district.
The deceased were identified as 51-year-old Tufail Hussain and 13-year-old girl Asiya.
“The girl was relative of Tufail and was staying in his house when the mortar shell fired from Pakistani troops hit the house,” the official said.
He said three others including the wife of Tufail identified as Zaitoon Begum sustained injuries.
They have been hospitalized, the official said adding the condition of Zaitoon is critical.
Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Shahid Choudhary, said 26 villages came under Pakistani troops firing and shelling.
He said five villages were seriously affected by the firing and shelling.
Shahid said there was a narrow escape for the rescue teams as shells hit Baba Khori area from meters away.
“The rescue buses were de-inducted due to escalation in Pakistani shelling.”
According to DC, at least 87 schools falling within a radius of 5 kms at LoC in Nowshera sector have been closed for indefinite period.
“51 schools have been closed in Nowhsera sector while 36 schools in Manjakote and Doongi zones of the Nowshers sector have also been closed till further orders,” he said.
There is an enrollment of 4600 in 87 schools that will remain closed as a precautionary measure due to Pakistani troops firing and shelling, the DC said.
He said in today’s firing, at least two schools were damaged in Jhangar area of Nowshera sector while a mortar shell hit Middle School Thathiali in Manjakote area.
He said the decision to close the schools has been taken to ensure the safety of the students and the staff.
It was for the third consecutive day that Pakistani troops breached border ceasefire and fired on security forces posts and civilian areas.
On Friday, a border guard was injured after Pakistani Rangers fired towards BSF posts and patrol party in Arnia sector of Jammu.
Earlier, on Thursday, a woman was killed and her husband and close relative injured in Pakistani troops firing and shelling along LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district.