10,000 abandon homes as shelling continues from across the border in J&K

Notwithstanding retaliation by India, Pakistani troops continued to violate ceasefire along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir past Monday midnight.

As per sources, heavy overnight shelling was reported from various places along the International Border in Jammu, mainly targeting BSF posts.

As per PTI, 60 hamlets and scores of BSF posts were targeted in Kathua and Samba districts, with mortar bombs landing deep inside Indian territory.

However, there was no loss of life or injury to anyone among civilians in the firing and shelling since last night, officials said.

On Monday, one BSF jawan was killed in Pakistani shelling in Hiranagar.

The latest round of ceasefire violations by Pakistan have left four jawans and a woman dead since New Year’s Eve, while five Pakistani Rangers have also been killed in retaliatory fire by India.

So far, over 10,000 people have abandoned their homes in border villages amid continuing shelling.

“Following indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas along the international border by Pakistan yesterday (Monday), more people have abandoned their homes close to the border in Samba and Kathua districts,” a senior official said. “The number of villagers lodged in makeshift accommodations at safer places has crossed 10,000 and their migration is continuing today (Tuesday),” the official added.

A senior official said the BSF has been retaliating effectively to silence Pakistani guns.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh was yesterday briefed on the ceasefire violations at a high-level meeting. He also took stock of the damage to civilian assets in border areas.

BSF Director General DK Pathak will travel to Jammu today and take stock of the situation in several forward areas.