late Thursday evening when Pakistan Rangers started pounding forward border villages along the International border in Arnia and RS Pura Sector it not only surprised BSF officers but also alarmed border residents as majority of targets hit by intensive border shelling were the same targeted earlier from across the border.

Three civilians were injured and scores of houses, shops and livestock were hit by the cross border shelling which lasted over seven hours till the wee hours of Friday in Arnia and RS Pura.  Panic stricken border residents could not sleep and braved the harsh winter chill ducked inside their houses in the cover of darkness.

According to official sources, "the unprovoked firing was aimed at providing cover fire to a group of suspected infiltrators spotted close to the zero line along the IB by the BSF jawans".

A total number of 10 BSF posts were targeted in the fire which continued till 2.30 am. According to official sources, BSF retaliated strongly and used same calibre of weapons to give a befitting reply to the Rangers.

Meanwhile, angry border residents once again urged the Union Govt to take a final call on their final settlement in the wake of frequent incidents of cross border firing in the area. “We are feeling unsafe in our own houses as Pakistan Rangers have once again targeted our village Treva in Arnia sub sector,” border residents told visiting media teams showing tell tale marks of cross border firing on the four walls of their houses and pierced rooftops.

To contain public anger and instill sense of security among them both Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Shantmanu and Inspector General of Police, Jammu range,Rajesh Kumar were directed by the Governor NN Vohra to reach out to the victims and make adequate arrangements for providing safe shelter to the affected Border residents.