Eight injured in Nowshera shelling

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 25

At least two Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory firing in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district today while eight persons were injured in the Suchetgarh sector of Jammu district.

Heavy exchange of fire, involving the use of 82-mm and 120-mm mortar shells along with small arms, started around 10 am and was going on till the evening.

“The Pakistani army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Nowshera by targeting our positions with mortar bombs and small arms fire around 10 am,” said an Army officer.

The Army gave a befitting response to the ceasefire violation from the Pakistani side, he said. “We have received inputs that two or three Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the retaliatory firing,” he added.

The Pakistan Rangers also resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing in the Suchetgarh sector, resulting in injuries to eight persons.

All eight victims received splinter injuries. They were taken to a hospital in RS Pura and later shifted to the Government Medical College in Jammu.

The injured were identified as Sanjana Devi (14), Sakshi Devi (12), Veena Devi (27), Kamlesh Devi (35), Soma Devi (35), Manju Devi (15), Neelam Choudhary (14) and Daljit Kour of Chanduchak.

Shelling and firing stopped on the border on Monday afternoon. It restarted around 12:30 pm today when Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing on civilian areas.

Border Security Force personnel gave a befitting reply. Residents of border areas ran for cover inside their homes and bunkers. Abdullian, Lalyian, Chanduchak and other nearby villages were affected by shelling.

“Normally, firing takes place during the night. Today, it started during the day. Residents ran for cover as Pakistan fired 82-mm mortar shells on civilian areas,” said TS Tony of Suchetgarh.

Shelling forced residents to leave for safer places again, but only a few persons were able to move out of villages close to the border so far. “After the shelling, the district administration advised residents to move to safer places,” said Arun Manhas, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu.

“Due to continuous shelling and firing, they have not been able to move out. We have set up camps to house them, but not many of them have been able to reach the camps so far,” he said.