Over 100 villages along IB evacuated after Pakistan shelling

More than 100 villages have been evacuated along the International Border (IB), following heavy shelling from Pakistan in the Ranbir Singh Pura and Arnia sectors of Jammu division. Two more people were injured in the cross-border shelling on Tuesday.

For the second day in a row, Pakistan Rangers have been pounding civilian areas in RS Pura and Arnia sectors of the IB, sparking a fresh wave of fear in the area. Two people were injured when Pakistan shells landed in the residential area in RS Pura sector on Tuesday.

Pakistan Rangers have been using long range weapons, including 120 mm mortars, which have a range of seven kilometres, and 82 mm mortars, having range of 4.5 kilometres, to inflict maximum damage deep into the civilian areas.

"Around 100 villages have been evacuated in RS Pura and Arnia sectors. All the people, including women and children have left their villages. Only one male member per family is staying back for mending cattle and the rest of the family members have left, particularly women and children," said Arun Manhas, additional deputy commissioner of Jammu.

Seven people, including two BSF men, have been killed and over two dozen injured in the cross-border shelling since May 15 on the International Border in the Jammu division.

"We have set up seven shelter camps for the border people in Bishna and RS Pura. Everything is free for the people who stay in the shelter. Most of the people stay with their relatives. We hosted around 500 people in our camps on Monday," said Manhas.