SRI NAGAR: With the ceasefire violations and shelling by Pakistani troops on villages along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir becoming almost a daily occurrence, the state’s PDP-BJP coalition Government is awaiting the Centre’s nod for constructing underground bunkers for the border villagers to ensure their safety during the cross-border firing.
“The state government had submitted a proposal to the Central government in February for construction of underground bunkers for people living close to the IB and the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir,” Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal told Express.
According to the DC, the government is awaiting the Centre’s nod for going ahead with the construction of the underground bunkers. The J&K government has proposed the setting up of 20,125 bunkers in villages close to the LoC and IB.There has been a surge in the shelling and firing by Pakistani troops this month,which prompted the border people to demand the construction of underground bunkers for them. At least nine people have been killed and over three dozen injured in Pakistani firing and shelling along the LoC and the IB in the last fortnight.
Not only that, Pakistani troops have of late been pounding the civilian areas with long range 120 mm mortar shells. These shells have landed deep in civilian areas, causing casualties. Earlier the Pakistani troops used to fire low range 82 mm mortar bombs.