Old woman among 2 injured in latest firing, shelling by Pakistan

A 70-year-old woman was among two people injured as the Pakistan Rangers opened fire and lobbed mortars along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir early on Tuesday, triggering panic among the residents and forcing many to take shelter in government-run camps.

The firing and shelling continued unabated and has spread to all sectors from Akhnoor to Samba along the the border, a senior Border Security Force (BSF) official told PTI.

He said BSF troops guarding the border retaliated effectively and exchanges between the two sides were continuing when reports last came in.

Inspector General of Police (Jammu) S.D. Singh Jamwal said one person was injured in the fresh firing in the worst-hit Arnia sector of Jammu district.

Madan Lal Bhagat, a resident of Pindi Charkan village of Arnia, was hit by splinters in the abdomen and foot after a mortar shell hit his house in the early hours of Tuesday, the officials said adding he had been admitted to the Government Medical College.

Police said 70-year-old Kaushalya Devi was also injured in the firing.

Mr. Jamwal said police parties have been deployed and are helping people shift to safer places from the affected areas.

Relief camps activated

Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Hemant Kumar Sharma said relief camps had been activated at safer places all along the border, especially in the RS Pura and Arnia sectors, which witnessed heavy mortar shelling by Pakistan over the past two days.

Hundreds of people have reported at these camps set up in educational institutions and other government buildings, Mr. Sharma said.

He said adequate facilities were available at these camps so that the displaced people did not face any problem. All schools vulnerable to Pakistani shelling have been closed along the border as a precautionary measure.

The latest round of shelling started on May 15 when the BSF foiled two infiltration attempts by Pakistan-backed infiltrators in the Samba sector.

So far seven persons, including two BSF jawans and an infant, have been killed and 18 others injured in the latest ceasefire violation by Pakistan.

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 a total of 39 people, including 18 security personnel, dead and scores injured.