Hundreds flee their homes after Pak shelling along LoC

Hundreds fled their homes after Pakistan shelled civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector, even as the Indian Army foiled a Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) strike in Tangdhar sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district for the second time in two days.

Fear gripped villagers living close to the LoC in Uri after Pakistan rained shells on civilian areas on Thursday. More than 500 villagers have fled their homes and three houses have been damaged due to the shelling.

“Due to firing/shelling from across in-border areas of Uri, about 500 people migrated to safer areas. Deputy Commissioner/Senior Superintendent of Police on spot looking after the people”, tweeted Shesh Paul Vaid, director general of police, Jammu and Kashmir.

District Development Commissioner (DDC) of Baramulla, Nasir Ahmad Naqash, told DNA that they have set up shelter camps for the affected people at a government school in Uri. “People left homes because of fear. We welcomed them and provided all necessary things. Last night, 107 people reported to the school, of whom 40 stayed for the night and the rest left to put up with their relations,” said Naqash.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army foiled a Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) strike on their post in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district.

“BAT actively supported by heavy mortar shelling from multiple Pakistani posts tried to raid a forward post in Tangdhar sector. Alert Indian Army troops detected the movement and effectively repulsed the action,” said an Army officer.