Early Times Report
Poonch, Dec. 11: In wake of the persistent ceasefire violation by Pakistan, villagers residing in the border area of Kashmir live under constant fear.
"The Pakistan side has fired atleast 10 to 12 times in this month alone. Last night there was heavy shelling and people living in the village are frightened. I was in my house and I did not step out. There was no damage to life during the shelling, but its impact can been seen on our farmlands and on the forest area," said Muhammad Azam a villager.
The firing has been intense and sporadic by Pakistan but did not cause any damage to life and property on the Indian side.
Condemning the spate of firing exchanges, locals urged both sides to ensure that people along the border live in peace.
"We are civilians and should be allowed to live in peace. Pakistan should live peacefully and allow us to do the same. It is pointless for locals alongside the border areas both in India and Pakistan to bear the brunt of such constant firing. This is injustice and people like us should not suffer," said Haji Bagh Hussain, a villager.
Ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have fought three wars since 1947, were frozen when Pakistan-based militants attacked Mumbai in 2008, killing 166 people. |
