On the eve of festivities surrounding Eid-ul-Azha —the festival of sacrifice — hundreds of border residents living along the line of Control in Poonch have been caught in the crossfire between the Armies of the two neighbouring countries — India and Pakistan.
Due to escalating tensions along the loC, it is these border residents who have been deprived of the opportunity to even ‘peacefully’ celebrate the festival of Eid in the cozy company of their loved ones.
For the last six days, the intense exchange of fire, including the use of 82 mm mortar shells to target the civilian areas, has spread panic. There has been no let-up from the Pakistani side even on the eve of Eid, official sources present on ground told The Pioneer.
Pakistani troops have been regularly violating ceasefire agreement since August 5, 2013 attack on the Indian soldiers.
After witnessing intermittent exchange of fire for about 4 in the night heavy firing resumed early Tuesday morning in Hamirpur and Bhimber Gali sub-sectors of Poonch. Instead of offering prayers the border residents have been cursing their fate as they could not participate in the festivities like previous years.
According to official sources, Pakistani Army violated the ceasefire agreement, seventh time in a row in the last one week, by resorting to ‘unprovoked’ firing around 6.30 am in Hamirpur and Bhimbergali areas along the loC in Poonch on Tuesday morning.