BSF jawan killed in Pak border shelling

Pakistan on Monday resumed heavy mortar shelling targeting scores of border out posts and civilian areas along the International Border in Samba and Kathua districts, killing a Border Security Force jawan.

"Pakistan Rangers resorted to heavy mortar shelling on BoPs and civilian areas along IB in Samba and Kathua sectors around 2 pm on Monday," a senior BSF officer told PTI, as the fresh ceasefire violation by Pakistan triggered another round of heavy exchanges.

One BSF jawan was martyred in the shelling, he said, adding the force is also strongly retaliating back. The deceased has been identified as Constable Davinder Kumar who was at Khora BoP post in Samba sector, a police officer said.

Four jawans and a woman were killed in Pakistan shelling and firing during the last one week, officials said, adding, five Pakistani rangers and a girl were killed in retaliatory firing.

Kathua Deputy commissioner Kathua Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary said Pakistan has started shelling in all the border villages and that more than 5,000 people living in 57 villages on the Indian side are in danger.

"We are unable to launch rescue operations," he added. Earlier in the day it was small arms fire, now they are using heavy mortar shells, he said. Chowdhary said the situation is very serious and that Pakistani shells have landed 3 to 4 km inside Indian territory.

Monday’s firing and shelling forced the administration to order closure of all the educational institutions in the affected areas of Samba district indefinitely.

A senior state government officer said, “Small arms firing was reported in Hiranagar sub-division which was followed by intense shelling. Range of shelling has increased at various places like Chakra, Sherpur and Londi were shells exploded at a distance of 4 kms from IB.”

“More than 2500 people have been evacuated to safer places,” he added.

The officer said, “Due to intense shelling further evacuation process has been stopped to avoid targeting buses ferrying border residents.”

The district administration, however, pressed into service three bullet proof vehicles at Bobiyan, Pahadpur and Manyari and other forward areas. Four more relief camps have been opened, he added.

After a day-long lull, Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire again by targeting the border posts in Kathua and Samba sectors, drawing retaliation from the BSF. "Pakistani Rangers resorted to ceasefire violation and opened small arms firing in one post in Samba district and two areas in Kathua district late last night," officials told PTI.

There was no firing by Pakistan Rangers from the night of January 3 until January 4 evening. Residents of border villages continued to leave for safer areas in view of the latest round of ceasefire violations by Pakistan since New Year eve.

Over 3,500 people have migrated from border villages in Samba and Kathua districts.

According to official sources 12 houses were partially damaged in the shelling.

The sources said that more than 50 villages were affected due to Monday’s shelling and added that the administration was making preparations for more affected people and the number of such people is likely to exceed 12000.

With inputs from PTI