SRINAGAR: There has been no let-up in the tension along International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir with at least 14 people, including three security men, sustaining injuries in the Pakistani troops’ heavy firing and shelling on Thursday.
“Pakistani troops again resorted to unprovoked firing along the IB in Samba, Hiranagar, Ramgarh, Arnia, R S Pura, Kanachak and Pargwal sub sectors in Jammu province,” BSF sources said.
The sources said Pakistani troops fired using heavy weapons on at least 60 outposts and 80 villages along the IB since midnight. “The intensity of the firing intensified in the morning and unprovoked firing continued till the afternoon”, they informed.
Sources said Pakistani troops also fired long range mortar shells, hitting areas which had till now remained untouched.
“The Indian troops also effectively returned the fire with similar calibre weapons,” they said.
Sources said 14 people including three BSF men were injured in the Pakistani firing in Kanachak, Samba and other places at IB and have been hospitalised.
At least eight people have been killed and 85 others, including some security men, injured in the Pakistani firing along IB and LoC in Jammu province in the last nine days.
October 6 witnessed the worst Pakistani shelling. At least five people were killed and 13 others injured in Pakistani firing in Arnia belt along IB on the day.
Defence spokesman based in Jammu, Lt Col Manish Mehta told Express that there was no Pakistani firing on LoC.
“There was calm and peace along LoC and Pakistani troops did not resort to unprovoked firing in any sector,” he said.
Army looks after the security on LoC in Jammu and Kashmir while BSF takes care of security on IB.
In view of continuous firing by Pakistani troops, sources said army and BSF men have been put on maximum alert.
Army spokesman, however, said no additional army deployment has been made along LoC.
The authorities have shifted at least 30,000 people to safer places along IB and LoC in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu province. The relief camps have been set up and people evacuated from areas close to IB and LoC are being accommodated in community halls, schools and other government buildings.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah said the State government would do all whatever is possible to safeguard the lives of the people and their cattle.
“The instructions have been issued to the divisional authorities to take all measures for providing necessary succour to the firing affected people. I have also given directions for establishing temporary camps for cattle and also arranging fodder and medical facilities for them,” he said.
Omar asked divisional officers to identify more places of temporary shelters for population migrating from border areas for safety.
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