Pakistani forces have unleashed bloodbath on the borders in Jammu and Kashmir. Eight civilians, including two children, were killed and 24 others injured in Pakistani shelling on civilian areas and forward posts along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu division on Tuesday.
Hundreds of civilians are trapped in villages as authorities are unable to evacuate them due to the heavy cross-border shelling. The Border Security Force (BSF) launched a calibrated retaliation and destroyed more than 14 Pakistani posts on the IB, opposite the Ramgarh and the Arnia sectors in the Jammu division.
"They (Pakistan Rangers) are targeting civilians. What does that mean? Obviously they are frustrated. We are retaliating beyond their expectations. We are responding in those sectors where they fire on us", said DK Upadhayay, Inspector-General of BSF, Jammu Frontier.
Panic gripped the entire border belt in Jammu, prompting the government to close down schools. "Around 350 schools will remain closed," said Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu. According to Jammu Deputy Commissioner Sheetal Nanda, 45 border schools were closed down in the Samba sector. Poonch Deputy Commissioner Haroon Malik said that 84 border schools were closed in the Balakot zone in his district.
The Ramgarh sector in Samba district was hit the worst by the Pakistani shelling, which started at 6.30 am on Tuesday. Pakistani Rangers targeted villages, using 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, leaving six people dead and injuring 10 others. The slain included seven-year-old Rishab and five-year-old Abhi.
"Five died due to the shelling and one died of the shock. We are verifying whether the man who died of shock also lost his life because of shelling. Ramgarh was quiet for some days and people were reluctant to move out as their crops were ready and there were cattle as well. This shelling started all of sudden at 6.30 am and has been continuing since then," Sheetal Nanda, District Development Commissioner, Samba, said.
Later, the Pakistan Army took charge and resorted to heavy shelling on civilian areas and forward posts in the Rajouri sector, killing two women. "There are two casualties in the Manjokote area. The two women were in their homes when a shell hit them. Three others were injured," Shabir Ahmad Bhat, District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, said.
Police said three porters were injured when Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling in the Naushera area of Rajouri district. "One mortar shell landed very close to the Mendhar police station," said Johnny Williams, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Rajouri-Poonch range.
Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta, Defence Spokesman at Jammu, said that there was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the Naushera sector since 5.30 am using 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, which is being befittingly and appropriately responded to.
"Unprovoked ceasefire violation was carried out by by the Pakistan Army in the Balakote sector from 9 am using automatic weapons and 120 mm mortars," he said.
Expressing deep anguish over the loss of human lives, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti made a fervent appeal for dialogue between India and Pakistan. "The escalation of violence along the border and LoC should remind India and Pakistan about the inevitability of sitting across the table to find a peaceful, just and pragmatic solution to all contentious issues. World over, we see how wars have completely destroyed prosperous countries and annihilated cultures. It is the responsibility of the Indo-Pak political leadership to save the region from such a devastating scenario," she said.
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