Five civilians died in fresh heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistani troops along the International Border (IB) in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts today. About 40,000 people have shifted safer places
Today is the 9th day of continuous firing and shelling by Pakistani Rangers along the IB and LoC in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts.
A senior police officer said two civilians died in Samba that started at 9 AM.
Police officials said border dwellers have been evacuated and an operation to evacuate others is going on with bullet proof vehicles.
In R S Pura, Arnia, Bishnah of Jammu district and Ramgarh and Samba sectors firing and shelling is going on since last night.
Yesterday, 20 civilians were injured when Pakistani troops shelled Indian villages with mortar bombs.
Arnia town, which has been badly hit in Pakistani shelling, is deserted as most of the people have left their house. Educational institutions in the affected areas remained closed. BSF officials said firing and shelling continued unabated overnight and has spread to all sectors along the border.
BSF claims Pakistani Rangers have suffered several casualties with a number of their bunkers getting hit in the exchanges.
The latest round of shelling started on May 15 when the BSF foiled two infiltration attempts by Pakistan-backed infiltrators in Samba sector.
The state has witnessed a spurt in Pakistani shelling and firing along the IB and the Line of Control (LoC) this year. Over 700 such incidents have been reported this year, which have left over 40 people, including 18 security personnel, dead and scores injured.
