Responding to repeated ‘unprovoked’ ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the Indian Army on Wednesday reportedly caused extensive damage to several Pakistan posts along the line of Control (loC) in Poonch sector and killed at least three Pakistan Army jawans in heavy exchange of fire.
There was, however, no official confirmation from the Indian Army or Ministry of Defence spokespersons based in Jammu about the extent of casualty or damage.
On the India side, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), injured grievously in Nowshera sector on Tuesday, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday at Command Hospital, Udhampur.
The martyred JCO has been identified as Subedar Shashi Kumar, hailing from village Galon of Hamirpur district, Himanchal Pradesh.
Defence spokesperson lt Col Munsih Mehta in Jammu said the Pakistan army initiated ‘unprovoked’ firing by small arms, automatic weapon, and mortars from 8.45 am in Bhimber Gali sector and from 11.45 am in Poonch sector.
Meanwhile, war-like situation prevailed in several forward areas of Poonch as heavy exchange of fire was reported throughout the day till late in the evening. The situation in Rajouri district was equally tense.
The residential areas have suffered the brunt of intense mortar shelling by Pakistan Army. local villagers told visiting teams of district administration on Wednesday that Pakistan army lobbed 81mm and 120 mm mortars to target their houses.
According to official sources, “ Heavy shelling was reported in different areas of Manjakote and 10-12 shells landed in premises of primary School Kalotra and Kotedhara in Manjakote. No shelling was reported in Nowshera sub-division.
District Development Commissioner, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary visited various villages affected by to border shelling and took stock of the situation. He also visited schools damaged in the exchange of fire and different relief camps to review the arrangements. More than 60 students, who were shifted to camps out of 217 rescued on Tuesday, were handed over to their parents .
Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, DC Rajouri, said, “A total number of 852 families comprising of 3,411 persons were residing in 5 relief camps in view of repeated ceasefire violations.”
The DDC said the district administration has already initiated construction of 100 bunkers in Nowshera out of which work has been started on 20 and a similar scheme has also been devised for affected areas of Manjakote. The bunkers are being constructed under convergence of various developmental schemes.
A meeting was also held with affected people in relief camps and forward areas. The administration has also issued advisory regarding prohibition on nigh-movement of vehicles beyond Kalsian till further orders.
More than 80 livestock, including sheep and goats, were also reported dead due to shelling in forward areas, official sources said.