War like situation at IB-LoC; 4 martyred, 24 injured; firing continues till late night

2500 migrated, schools shut; heavy loss of life on other side reported

JAMMU: War-like situation is prevailing at International Border and Line of Control from Kathua to Mendhar as India and Pakistan traded heavy exchange of fire for the third consecutive day, the heavy shelling being on till the filing of this report.
At least 4 Indians, including two civilians, one BSF Jawan and one Army soldier attained martyrdom, while over two dozen two dozen person have received splinter injuries in Pakistani firing in different parts of the region along IB including Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts, besides along LoC in Rajouri district.
The number is rising with each hour, as reports of fresh firing were coming from across the region till late Friday night. In the wake of no respite in fire, over 2,500 border-dwellers have migrated from different villages situated along the fence to safe houses while a good number of them have moved to their relatives' places, away from borders.
The heavy blow has also forced the school authorities to close down the school situated along the firing line. In Rajouri, the district administration has ordered for all government and private schools located in 0-5KM range from LoC in 72 villages to remain closed for next 3 days.
Meanwhile, defence sources assert that in continued retaliation, the BSF has damaged four more Pakistani mortar positions, while pegging the loss of life at around 20-25.
On Friday, after continuing till late Thursday evening, the firing from Pakistan side resumed again in the early morning.
"Pakistan Rangers resorted to heavy firing and shelling along the IB in several areas of R S Pura, Arnia and Ramgarh sectors since 6.40 am," a BSF official said.
The firing and shelling spread to Kathua district in the afternoon, he said.
Pakistan Rangers targeted around 45 border outposts (BoPs) in the three sectors, using 82 mm and 52 mortar bombs, automatic and small weapons, the official said, adding that the BSF troops also gave a befitting reply.
In Jammu district, DC Kumar Rajiv Ranjan informed that two civilians have been killed and at least 11 injured in Pakistani firing in Arnia and RS Pura sectors, whereas firing was on at Kanachak and Gajansoo areas too, which normally remain calm.
The 2 civilian victims were identified as Bachno Devi (50) wife of Jeet Raj of Saikhurd in Arnia and one Sahil (25) son of Krishan Lal of Kortana in RS Pura.
"A total of 700 people have been evacuated and shifted to temporary migrant camps in Suchetgarh area, whereas many others shifted to their relatives and friends houses on their own in RS Pura and Arnia belts," added the DC.
In Samba district, a BSF Head Constable Jagpal Singh, attained martyrdom earlier in the day, during Border firing at BOP Chillyarin, opposite Pak post Akram shaheed of 80 wing chenab ranger.
Singh (51), of 176 Battalion, a resident of Haryana, got seriously injured during cross border fire and was evacuated to Samba District Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.
Another BSF trooper along with three civilians were injured in indiscriminate firing and shelling by Pakistan Rangers in Samba along on the international border.
DC Samba, Sheetal Nanda informed that around 800 persons have been evacuated to safer places in Ramgarh area, while some others from Rajpura area have also been shifted to temporary migration camps, established by district administration.
Further in the night, around 400 people from border villages Kandral, Brota camp, Rangoor camp, kamore camp, Mahal Shah, Kamore, Govind Garh, Nai Basti Abtal, Nanga, Jard Abtal and Abtal in sector ramgarh have migrated to Thandi Khui Ashram while around 45 residents of village Regal were shifted to Tareli temple and 48 peoples of village Mangu chak, Chillayrian and Chachwal were shifted to Government School buiding Rajpura.
Though comparatively lesser, around 200 people were evacuated in Kathua district to safer places from Hiranagar sector, where at least 9 civilians have suffered splinter injuries in cross border firing.
While firing was initially on in Hirnagar sector only, Pakistan started shelling other areas of Kathua too by the evening, informed DC Kathua, Rohit Khajuria.
Meanwhile, Pakistan also opened fire at LoC in Rajouri district, violating ceasefire as it initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of Small arms, automatics and mortars from in Sunderbani sector in which an army jawan attained martyrdom while another person is reported to suffer injuries at Balakot sector.
"Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing using small arms and automatics to target Indian positions in Sunderbani sector of the LoC at 1.30 p.m., which the Indian Army retaliated 'strongly and effectively'," the Indian Army said in a statement.
In the exchange of fire, Lance Naik Sam Abraham was grievously injured and later succumbed to his injuries.
The 34-year-old soldier hailed from Poonakam of Allepey in Kerala and is survived by his wife Anu Mathew and a 22-month-old daughter.
"Lance Naik Sam Abraham was a brave and sincere soldier. The nationa will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," the army statement said.
Yesterday, a 17-year-old girl and a BSF jawan were killed and six persons, including five civilians, were injured in ceasefire violation in three sectors of Jammu and Samba districts.
With this, six persons, including two BSF jawans and an Army jawan, were killed and 29 civilians were injured in the last two days in shelling from the Pakistani side.
Meanwhile, defence sources asserted that in continued retaliation, the BSF has damaged four more Pakistani mortar positions, while pegging the loss of life at around 20-25.
A senior BSF official said that by the intensity of their retaliation and the number of ambulances moving on the Pakistani side, the "casualty across the border appears to be very high…somewhere between 20-25".
India today summoned Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah and conveyed "grave concerns" at the continued ceasefire violations and deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by Pakistan forces. Shah was summoned by the joint secretary in Pakistan division.
The external affairs ministry has registered its "strong protest" at the loss of three innocent civilian lives besides injuries to nine other civilians in ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces on 18 and 19 January 2019 in Hiranagar, Samba, Ramgarh, R S Pura and Arnia sectors, an official release said.
More than 100 such violations have been carried out by the Pakistan forces on the Line of Control and the International Border so far during 2018.
"It was conveyed to the concerned authorities in Pakistan that deliberate targeting of innocent civilians was against all established humanitarian norms and practises," the statement said.
Meanwhile, amid heavy shelling by Pakistani forces on the border, Union minister Subhash Bhamre said today that Indian forces know "what to do" and are "well prepared" to contain any ceasefire violation in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Our forces know what to do. Government is sensitive and our forces are well prepared. They have been giving a befitting reply," the Minister of State for Defence said.
Indian forces are able to "tackle any eventuality" and "safeguard the motherland", he said, adding that at the same time, they "stop cross border infiltration" that has been "unfortunately going on".