Pakistani firing along border gives villagers sleepless nights

Pakistan rangers resorted to heavy firing and shelling on 15 border outposts and several villages along the International Border in Jammu district, damaging houses and livestock.

A senior Border Security Force said that Pakistani rangers used small arms and mortars to target the paramilitary BSF posts in the Arnia sector. “The firing started around 2 am and continued till around 6 am. There was no damage on our side. However, three heads of cattle were killed and six injured due to mortar shell blast,” he said.

However, the firing triggered panic among the villagers living near the border. Villagers preferred to remain indoors and avoided working in their fields on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Ajit Singh rushed to the Arnia belt and reviewed the security measures for the people. “We have already identified accommodation for providing safe shelter to border population in case the firing from Pakistan escalates,” Sahu said.

This is the fifth ceasefire violation since July 16. On July 18, Pakistan Rangers targeted BoPs with small arms and automatic weapons along IB in Arnia belt of Jammu district.

-- With inputs from PTI

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