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Kargil residents flee as Pak troops hit ammo dump

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

Spring in Kargil is over. Scores of shells have rained on the town from across the Pakistani border since Sunday, killing one civilian and seriously injuring three others, including an officer of the state agriculture department.

Police sources in Srinagar said most of the townsfolk have fled to adjoining villages for safety.

After a long winter lull, Pakistani troops began targeting the town again late last afternoon. According to a top state police officer, one shell hit an ammunition dump, resulting in a huge blaze and blasts that continued till today.

Though no one was injured, the blasts scared the townsfolk, who were the worst sufferers of the shelling by Pakistani troops last year, out of their wits.

Senior police and security force officers rushed to the spot, but efforts to control the fire were hampered by the continuing blasts from the dump.

This afternoon, Pakistani troops again rained shells on Kargil, killing one civilian, Sonam Abu, on the spot and injuring three others. The injured, identified as Mohammad Hassan, Ravinder Koul, an agriculture department officer, and Sanjeev Kumar, were rushed to hospital.

As the shelling intensified through the evening, many residents fled to adjoining villages. Shopkeepers downed shutters and everyone ran for cover.

Some residents a police officer reached by telephone from Srinagar said they had taken shelter in the underground bunkers built by the government last year. "The town is deserted. I could hear cries for help. Everyone was fleeing. I feel more trouble lies ahead," said one local.

Meanwhile, K Rajendra, deputy inspector general of police (Rajouri-Poonch range), escaped unhurt in a terrorist attack at Kalai bridge near Poonch late yesterday.

Police said a group of terrorists attacked the DIG's motorcade and opened fire with automatic weapons. The DIG's bodyguards returned the fire. No one was hurt.

In the same district, terrorists attacked another police party at Shindra with hand-grenades and assault rifles, injuring 11 policemen. The injured policemen were taken to hospital.

EARLIER REPORT:
Pak shelling destroys arms dump in Kargil

The Jammu & Kashmir state page

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