Escalating tensions between India and Pakistan along the line of Control in frontier Poonch district has dampened the spirit of festival of Eid this year.
For the past three days the Pakistani Army has been targeting forward Indian villages in Poonch district forcing the local residents to stay indoors even during the day time.
A teenage girl was killed in Pakistan Army shelling in Gagrian village in Poonch on Friday, while 40 houses were partially damaged in mortar shelling in the area.
Several live stock were also hit hard by Pakistan’s firing and heavy shelling in the area.
On Sunday morning too another incident of ceasefire violation was reported in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch when Pakistan Army guns targeted forward Indian posts for about half an hour between 8.00 am to 8.30.
Defence PRO in Jammu said, “Fresh ceasefire violation took place in Mendhar sector of Poonch between 8.00 and 8.30 on Sunday morning”.
At least 10 ceasefire violations have been reported in the last five days along the International border and loC in Jammu region.
Several forward villagers were hit by the Pakistan’s shelling, leaving no scope for the villagers to venture out and visit local market on the eve of festival of Eid.
Since majority of Pakistan posts are located at a higher altitude any civilian movement can be easily tracked down across low lying Indian villages with the help of binoculars.
The Indian Army had also advised local villagers not to roam freely in areas which fall in the direct line of fire of Pakistan guns.
Family of the teenage girl, Zahira Akhtar, who succumbed to her splinter injuries after being hit by mortar shell in village Gagrian are still in a State of shock. “We have lost our daughter we cannot think of celebrating festival of Eid”, a close relative of Zahira Akhtar said.
“We have already sacrificed our daughter,we do not want to suffer more. We appeal the State Government to provide us safe shelter points so that no further loss of life takes place due to these escalating tensions on the border”.
Arif Iqbal, local resident of village Uripura in Poonch said, “his house was hit by a mortar when his wife was feeding an infant”. Arif said, “Only God saved us as no one in the house was hit by splinters of mortar shell”.
He said, “I cannot think of celebrating Eid as per our tradition.I have lost everything”. Mortar shell blasted inside the room and destroyed several house hold items including utensils. We are struggling to arrange two square meals to survive,” he added.
Panic-stricken residents in the area are also staring at fast approaching winter months and spending sleepless nights in safe shelters.
Mohd Ramzan, a local resident in village Gagriyan said,”We managed to stay outdoors during summers but we cannot afford to stay awake under the sky during Winters. we need safe shelters and the State Government should organise our stay at safer places away from the line of fire of roaring Pakistani guns.