Hours after passing another anti-India resolution in their National Assembly, Pakistani troops on Thursday intensified firing along the line of Control across different sectors of Poonch inviting strong retaliation from the Indian side.
In the last 24 hours, four ceasefire violations were reported by the Indian Army from across the loC in different sectors of Poonch, taking the total number of violations to over 30 in the last over two weeks since August 6, 2013. Defence PRO Col RK Palta said, “The Pakistani troops targeted the Indian posts using small arms, automatic weapons and mortars in Hamirpur, Mendhar and Poonch sectors”. The Indian side retaliated the fire in equal measure effectively to silence the roar of Pakistani guns, official sources said.
According to reports, the Pakistani troops violated ceasefire agreement in Mendhar sector and Poonch around 5.35 pm on Thursday and both the sides were exchanging heavy fire till last reports came in.
According to Defence PRO in Jammu, “The exchange of fire in Banwat area of Poonch and Mendhar was in progress till last reports were filed”. On the other hand, panic-stricken residents of several border villages in Poonch have urged the State Government to shift them to safer places as it is becoming difficult for them to bear the brunt of the intense fire from the Pakistani side every night.
The small children and students are the worst hit in the area for last over two weeks. They are not able to study properly or move out of their houses for fear of getting hurt or caught in the cross fire. Several residents in Salotri village of Poonch have urged the district administration to shift them to safer places in Poonch city to ensure their safety.
According to Mohd Din of Village Salotri, “The situation in the forward area is very tense. It is raining bullets in our villages for over two weeks now. We are not able to sleep properly during the night. Neither our children are able to study properly or go to schools due to lurking fear on their minds. Mohd Din along with several other villagers have appealed to the State Government to shift them to safer places.
Earlier, the ceasefire violation was reported around 12.05 pm in Poonch sector on Thursday and the intermittent firing continued till late noon. last night two back to back incidents of ceasefire violations were reported in Hamirpur sector.
The exchange of fire took place between 9.30 to 10.30 pm and in Mendhar sector the violation took place around 10.30 and firing continued till 11.00 pm, Defence sources claimed.