Rajnath Meets Parrikar After Pak Firing Kills 8 Civilians in J&K
Since early Tuesday morning, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire thrice.
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Home Minister Rajnath Singh called a high level meeting on Tuesday which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, NSA Ajit Doval and other senior MHA officials. Border security was discussed during the high level meet where they decided to take strong action against those who are worsening the situation in Kashmir.
Eight civilians, mostly children and women, were killed in a single day and 22 injured when Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling on border hamlets.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra met Rajnath Singh and apprised him of the situation in the state.
Early Tuesday morning, there were three ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Ramgarh, Arnia and Naushera sectors along the International Border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
Two boys have died and eight others injured in firing by Pakistan in Ramgarh sector of Samba district. In the same area, another civilian, a 22-year-old girl, was earlier killed during ceasefire violations.
Jammu District Magistrate Ordered Closure of 174 Schools Along Border
Responding to the violations, Jammu District Magistrate has ordered the closure of 174 schools along border areas in Jammu region. Deputy Commissioner of Police in Samba, J&K, Sheetal Nanda has also added that 45 border schools have been closed down in the area.
These moves come amidst the Centre’s directive to the Jammu and Kashmir government to ensure security at schools and make efforts to resume studies hit for over four months due to the ongoing unrest.
Minister of State Jitendra Singh speaking to CNNNews18 also revealed that the government is concerned about the situation and is preparing to evacuate civilians from border areas to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
Pak Summons Indian Envoy; India Protests Over Unprovoked Firing
India on Tuesday protested to Pakistan over the unprovoked firing from across the border to give cover to infiltrators when its Deputy High Commissioner was summoned for the fourth time in just over a week over alleged “unprovoked ceasefire violations”.
“Director General (South Asia & SAARC) Mohammad Faisal summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh today and strongly condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations on 31 October by the Indian Forces on the LoC in Nikial and Jandrot sectors,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Two Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Fire
Army sources said two Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the area adjoining Noushera sector along the LoC in Rajouri district.
BSF also added that it has destroyed 14 posts of Pakistani Rangers in retaliatory action along the International Border in Ramgarh, Arnia sectors.
The army also said that three army porters have suffered injuries in the shelling in Noushera sector and they have been hospitalised.
During violations on Monday, a civilian was killed in Poonch district.
Meanwhile, an encounter is currently underway in north Kashmir’s Bandipora where suspected terrorists have given security forces the slip and run into the forest.
ANI also posted a video of infiltration across the International Border in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir.
In Naushera in Rajouri district, the violation started as early as 5 am. The violation in Ramgarh sector began at 6:30 am. Pakistani forces used small arms, automatic weapons and 82 mm mortars, according to reports.
Apart from the casualties in Ramgarh sector, three civilians have been injured in Arnia sector of RS Pura district.
Additionally, in Ajar village of Bandipora region of Jammu and Kashmir, an encounter between terrorists and the security forces is currently underway.
Speaking on the issue, Manish Mehta, Defence PRO said:
(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)
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