Despite facing the heat in the wake of strong Indian retaliation Pakistan Rangers are not keen on calling a truce on the International Border. After keeping their guns silent, for just two days, the Rangers again shelled Indian villages in Arnia and RS Pura sectors injuring three locals.
It started with small arms fire but as the night progressed they deployed their old tactics of firing long-range mortar shells which continued till Sunday morning, BSF sources said.
In total, 15 BSF posts were targeted from across the border in both the villages. Three villagers were reportedly injured in Jabowal village of Arnia. The International Border in Samba, Hiranagar, Akhnoor, however, remained peaceful. The line of Control was also peaceful on Sunday as no incident of unprovoked firing was reported from the area.
However, continuous shelling in and around Arnia town has now raised apprehensions about the actual game plan of the Pakistan Rangers. In the last 12 days, intense shelling has been reported in the area, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
The main markets of the town still remain deserted for most part of the day. A senior police officer in Arnia said, “After suffering huge damages across the border, the Pakistan Rangers are eyeing vital installations on the Indian side too and seem rather keen on inflicting severe damage”.
Pattern of firing, use of long-range mortar shells and ground reports, clearly suggests that the opposition is armed with coordinates of some vital installations and is targeting the same.
The firing by the Rangers on Saturday evening coincided with the moonrise when hundreds of married women, observing fast on the occasion of Karwa Chauth, broke their fast in relief camps. Some of the villagers staying in their houses at a safe distance rushed back to relief camps after heavy shelling started from across the border.
lot of damage was caused to houses in the forward villages as mortar shells rained heavily during the night. Thousands of villagers were forced to stay back in the relief camps.The students are the worst hit as they are staying out of their class rooms for last two weeks now.
Rising winter chill during the night is also going to compound miseries of the local residents and the state govt machinery as extra arrangements would be required in the coming days.
The displaced residents have only one wish on their mind. “We want to return home to celebrate the festival of lights. we do not want to stay in darkness in these camps for too long especially during the Deepawali”.