Jammu/New Delhi: Pakistan Rangers continued to fire across the international border with India through the night and well into Wednesday, killing at least two more people and injuring two dozen. India was quick to retaliate, but the casualties on the Pakistani side was not immediately known.
More than 20,000 residents of 30 villages along the international border in Jammu region have been shifted to safer locations, Indian officials said. India’s top military official said they were keen to resolve the ceasefire violations as Pakistan again raised the Kashmir issue at the UN.
The latest string of Pakistan ceasefire violations on the 700 km-LoC and the international border started Oct 3. The number of people killed in Pakistan shelling on civilian areas in Jammu region has now gone up to seven, while the number of injured has shot up to 55. Panic gripped the border villages here as shells landed with fierce intensity on homes, shattering windows and leaving the walls with gaping holes and pock-marked.
The bloodied and wounded were carried to hospital, while the locals scurried to safety and spent a sleepless night.
Pakistani troopers fired through the night and did not stop as the day broke on Wednesday.
A senior police officer: “Two people have died and five are injured in Pakistan mortar shelling in Chilyari village in Samba district today. The injured have been shifted to government medical college (GMC) hospital in Jammu city for treatment.”
“BSF is also retaliating effectively to silence Pakistan guns in the area,” the officer said.
As many as 20 people, including 15 civilians, were injured in overnight Pakistani firing at the border. “Four army soldiers were injured in Pakistan firing on the LoC in Poonch district, one BSF trooper and 15 civilians were injured in firing by Pakistan Rangers on the international border in Jammu district during the night.
In retaliation to Pakistan targeting civilian habitations in Jammu and Kashmir, the union home ministry Wednesday put on hold a scheduled flag meeting between Pakistan and Indian paramilitary forces to discuss the recent hostilities. (IANS)