Following fresh escalation along the Line of Control (LoC), local commanders of the Indian Army in Rajouri and Poonch districts have been constantly monitoring the ground situation to prevent any ‘lethal’ strike by the Border Action Team (BAT) of the Pakistan Army.
Taking advantage of foggy weather conditions, undulating terrain and thickly forested areas, Pakistan Army is looking for an opportunity to push large number of heavily armed terrorists inside the Indian territory to carry out surprise attacks.
After facing huge losses during strong Indian retaliation in the recent days, Pakistan army has already started targeting civilian areas deep inside the Indian territory up to a distance of 10-12 km from the LoC using heavy calibre weapons.
The Pakistan Army is not even sparing places of worship as mortar shells are frequently landing in the close vicinity preventing local residents from freely performing rituals.
In the wake of inclement weather conditions in the region, the foot soldiers have been tasked to maintain utmost vigil to prevent any major infiltration bid.
Due to continuous exchange of firing in the area, the local administration in Poonch Thursday decided to close down the educational institutions in the border areas to avoid any injury to students.
Local police authorities also stopped vehicular movement on roads leading to forward areas as Pakistan army has enhanced range of mortar shelling and regularly using artillery fire to target Indian villages.
Meanwhile, two civilians, injured in the firing late Wednesday night in Shahpur and Kirni sectors were shifted to a district hospital from where one of them was shifted to Government Medical college hospital in Jammu. According to ground reports, several houses in the area also suffered damages in heavy shelling by the Pakistan Army.
The Pakistan Army resorted to shelling of mortars and small arms from across the Line of Control (LOC) around 11.30 am in Poonch on Thursday. A defence spokesperson said the Indian Army was giving a befitting reply.
“Around 11.30 am, Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars along the Line of Control in Shahpur, Kirni and Qasba sectors of Poonch district,” Defence Spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand said. According to official sources in Poonch, Mohmmad Saleem (24) and 13-yr-old Tanvir Akhtar in Bandi Chichiya were injured in the overnight shelling.
The local officials claimed, “Pakistan army used artillery guns, which covered long distances to hit villages including Nuna Bandi, almost 12 kilometers from LoC, triggering panic and fear among the locals. Several houses were damaged in the shelling, officials said.
Cross LoC firing was also reported in North Kashmir late Wednesday night. According to official sources, “Pakistan troops resorted to heavy shelling on forward posts and villages in Silikote and Charanda in Uri sector of Baramulla district overnight. Firing was also reported along the International border in Kathua district. Official sources said, “Pakistan Rangers resorted to heavy shelling and firing along the International Border in Hiranagar sector overnight”.
