Pakistan has extended shelling to newer areas killing two women and injuring 15 others including three BSF men along the International Border (IB) in Jammu division.
Pakistan rangers again resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling and heavy firing on Border Security Forces (BSF) on the IB on Tuesday night.
A BSF spokesman said almost all the BSF posts in Kanachak, Arnia and Pargwal were targeted by Pakistan. Pakistani rangers also extended the shelling to new areas of Hiranagar, RS Pura and Samba, which had been remained unaffected so far.
"About 50 BSF posts were affected by the fire from Pakistan side. BSF troops gave strong and befitting reply to Pakistan firing in all the places. Three BSF men got injuries. Minor injuries to three civilians are also reported," said the spokesman.
A mother-in-law and daughter in law duo were killed while seven others including four from the same family were injured when Pakistani forces resorted to heavy shelling on civilian areas in Samba sector of Jammu.
With the killing of two more people, the toll has crossed seven in the fresh spell of shelling that started on October 1. Around 69 people have been injured so far in the shelling from Pakistan.
Tension has mounted in the area prompting the authorities to shift around 1,000 people to safer areas. "Some of the people who are living in the range of firing have been shifted to safer places. Certainly it is not calm. Atmosphere is tense", said Mubarak Singh, district development commissioner of Samba district.
Shunning the night cover, Pakistan continued the shelling during the day on Wednesday in different villages of Kathua district. Official figures reveal that a total of 57 villages have been affected directly or indirectly by the cross border firing.
"Firing continued during the day time and till late evening. Joint teams of administration, police and BSF also visited all the villages. A central response centre has been established at Hiranagar for supply of essential items and services for all the camps and new camps to be established," said a spokesman of district administration Kathua.
District administration, Kathua, has established 16 relief camps where more than 6,000 migrants from 43 border villages have been shifted in view of heavy shelling across IB in Hiranagar sector.
As many as 61 school buildings and 18 panchayat ghars have been notified as relief camps and 30 health institutions declared emergency centres.
"Early evacuation was started last evening keeping in view the inputs regarding expected firing from across the border. A number of meetings were organised in various villages for sensitising public and shifting them to camps in a smooth manner", he said.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed for immediate release of compensation to the affected families for loss of precious human lives as also for the loss of cattle.
"Money is no problem in this respect, you only ensure release of compensation and safeguarding the lives of people," he said.
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