Jammu, May 14: Pakistani troops heavily shelled areas along the LoC in Rajouri district for the second consecutive day Sunday, causing heavy damage to buildings and forcing evacuation of 1000 border dwellers.
The Indian Army effectively retaliated. Pakistan Army had pounded civilian areas and forward posts along the LoC in Nowshera with mortars, killing two civilians and injuring three Saturday. ‘‘Pakistani Army has resorted to indiscriminate firing of small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 6.45am along the Line of Control in Rajouri sector,’’ a Defence spokesman said.
‘‘The Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively. The firing is presently on,’’ he said.
Rajouri deputy commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudgary said fresh ceasefire violation has been reported in Chitibakri area of Chingus in Rajouri Sunday.
‘‘Heavy shelling started in Manjakote area of Rajouri at 6.20am. More than seven villages have been affected,’’ the DC said.
Choudhary said there was massive damage to buildings. He said the number of migrants at relief camps swelled to 978 overnight. Till now 259 families have been evacuated from three villages, he added.
At least 51 schools in Nowshera sector have been closed for an indefinite period while 36 in Manjakote and Doongi zones have been closed for three days. Nearly 4,600 students study in 87 schools, he added.
After the Pakistani shelling, 1000 people were evacuated from various areas along the LoC in Rajouri district to safer places.
2 gunned down in Kupwara
Srinagar: Security forces gunned down two militants Sunday in an encounter in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Army sources said. The security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in Bhagatpura in Handwara area based on a specific intelligence input about the presence of militants there, he said. As the security forces were conducting search operations, militants fired upon them, the official said. The security forces retaliated and in resulting encounter, two militants were killed, the Army official said. Two weapons have been recovered from the encounter site, he said, adding the identity and the group affiliation of the slain militants is being ascertained. The gunfight is over and the area is being sanitised, the official said.
