Two Civilians Killed as Pak Violates Ceasefire in J&K’s Nowshera

This is third ceasefire violation along Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu & Kashmir in the past three days.

Image for representational purposes only. An Indian soldier along the LoC. (Photo: Reuters)

Two civilians were killed and three injured in Pakistan shelling on the LoC in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, leading to an exchange of firing and shelling between Indian and Pakistan armies there as well as in Rajouri sector.

The shelling was still continuing when last reports came in on Saturday evening.

Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0715 hours along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector.

Lt Col Manish Mehta, PRO, Ministry of Defence (MoD) Jammu

“After Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked and indiscriminate shelling and firing on the Line of Control in Nowshera sector, our troops retaliated effectively and strongly. Exchange of firing is still on at three places in Nowshera and Rajouri sectors,” Mehta said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday expressed grief over the death of the civilians. The chief minister also directed the deputy commissioner Rajouri to immediately send rescue teams to the spot and ensure proper treatment of the injured, an official spokesperson said. She also directed the district administration to relocate the affected people to safer places, the spokesman said.

This is the third ceasefire violation along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir in the past three days.

Third Ceasefire Violation in Three Days

On Friday, a BSF jawan suffered minor injuries when Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire along the International Border. The Rangers fired a few bullets, warning the Indian troops working ahead of fence with a tractor in Arnia area in Jammu district. BSF troops guarding the IB had also retaliated.

On 10-11 May, Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing of automatic weapons on civilian areas near the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, killing a woman and injuring two people, including husband of the deceased lady. Two Pakistani soldiers were injured in retaliation by the Indian side.

In fact, on 11 May, Pakistan had summoned India's deputy high commissioner to Islamabad to “condemn” the alleged ceasefire violation by India along the LoC in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir that killed a man and injured three others.

In Nowshera, Schools Closed Down and Evacuation Underway

In the wake of the Pakistani action in Nowshera tehsil of Rajouri district, schools in the area were closed down and an evacuation plan was activated. Under this plan, over 1,200 people from various border hamlets are being shifted to safer places.

After the Pakistani shelling, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Nowshera tehsil had issued an order, directing closure of all schools in the area as a precautionary measure. Furthermore, an evacuation plan has been put in place in view of the  intermittent shelling and firing along LoC.

The shelling has affected five-six hamlets along the LoC, including Sheri Makeri, Namakdali and Khamba, since Wednesday night. As many as 27 families have been affected due to the shelling in which many houses, and a school, have been damaged partially or severely, according to the SDM.