Border tension escalates; 5 dead, 40,000 migrate in J&K

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 23

At least five civilians, including a woman, were on Wednesday killed and nine others were injured in heavy shelling and firing by Pakistani Rangers on civilians areas along IB in Kathua-Jammu sectors. 

Today is the 9th day of continuous firing and shelling by Pakistani Rangers along the IB and LoC in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts.

A senior police officer said two civilians were killed and six injured, including three jawans, in the shelling and firing in Samba that started at 9 am.

The Pakistani Rangers also targeted civilian areas and posts in Kathua district.

In the firing and shelling, three persons were injured and one of them succumbed to injuries on way to hospital, he said adding the injured have been admitted to hospitals.

Confirming the casualties, DGP S P Vaid tweeted, “In a night long shelling and firing from across the border at Jammu International Border Kathua to Akhnoor so far four deaths have taken place and thirty injured. Very sad indeed."

In a night long shelling/firing from across the border at Jammu International Border Kathua to Akhnoor so far four deaths have taken place and thirty injured. Very sad indeed.

— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) May 23, 2018

Meanwhile, over 40,000 border villagers were forced to migrate from their homes as the Pakistan Rangers continued targeting civilian and defence facilities in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts on Wednesday, police said.

While some of the migrants have taken shelter in makeshift camps set up by the administration, most others preferred to shift to the houses of relatives and friends.

Each household has left behind a male member to fend for the cattle and guard their homes from burglars.

The Pakistani side resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing at the Border Security Force and civilian facilities for the third consecutive on Wednesday, a police officer said.

Although the BSF was strongly and effectively retaliating, the officer said that there were confirmed large scale migration from R.S. Pura, Arnia, Ramgarh and other sectors close to the international border (IB).

On Tuesday, 18 civilians were injured in the Pakistani shelling in R.S. Pura and Ramgarh sectors.

Those with serious injuries were referred by attending doctors to government medical college hospital in Jammu.

Dozens of cattle have also perished in Pakistani shelling while houses and other structures have suffered huge damages. Agencies