STATE TIMES NEWS
SAMBA/KATHUA: Stepping up ceasefire violations, Pakistani Rangers resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing on 8 BSF posts along the Indo-Pak border in Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, forcing a strong retaliation from the Indian side on Friday night.
Today’s ceasefire violation was the fourth by the Rangers in as many days and the eighth in the last nine days.
“Pakistani Rangers resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling along International Border (IB) in Samba and Hiranagar sectors of J&K since 9:35 PM tonight”, a senior Police officer said.
There was firing on 4 Border Out Posts (BoPs) in Samba sector including at Regal, Challiyari, Suchetgarh and also on 3 to 4 such posts upto Bansantar forward belt in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, he said.
The firing and mortar shelling by Pakistani Rangers has come from Razab Sheed, Asif Sheed, Chak Bhura, New Pak and Dhandhar Posts, according to reports.
BSF troops guarding the IB has strongly retaliated resulting in heavy exchanges, which is still going on when the reports last came from the area late tonight, the officer said.
Police used speakers and announced that people should stay indoors and not to venture outside, he said, adding that they have been also told to take shelter in bunkers.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi said Pakistan has been firing towards Indian side along the IB in Jammu region and BSF jawans are giving a befitting reply.
When asked about Islamabad’s protest against heavy firing by India, Singh said it was Pakistan which started the firing and “we are just responding to it”.
Pakistan Rangers yesterday targeted 13 BoPs in Samba sector a day after four Pakistani rangers were killed in a sharp counter-attack following the death of an Indian jawan in cross-border firing. Meanwhile, a government release issued late Friday night states that firing along international border was reported at 9:30 PM from areas of Pansar, Bobyan, Manyari and Pahadpur areas of Hirangar sector in Kathua district. Border residents have been alerted and advised to keep lights off and stay indoors. Evacuation will be initiated early morning in areas where required.
Ambulances and doctors have been deputed at Hiranagar for responding to emergencies and three buildings have been made operational as relief camps keeping in view the volatile situation prevailing in the area.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua along with senior officers of administration are camping in Hiranagar for monitoring the situation and coordinating relief and rescue operations.
All Sarpanchs, Panchs, Numbardars, Chowkidars and prominent persons in 57 border villages have been issued advisory telephonically for communicating to public regarding safety measures. Relief camps have also kept in preparedness, the government release stated.
The government has also provided the Important Contact Numbers: SDM Hiaranagar : 9419118512; Asstt Commissioner Revenue 9419168503; SDPO Hiranagar 9419121343; Control Room: For urgent messages
to Deputy Commissioner, SSP, other officers : 01992-2234311, for any
assistance.
