Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
srinagar, Mar 8: Tensions continue to escalate along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistan refuses to stop shelling and firing from across the border, turning lives of residents into hell.
In north Kashmir's Baramulla district, a civilian was recently injured in overnight shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC) at Kamalkote sector of Uri area.
Intermittent shelling and firing are going for last one week from across the border.
"Several residential houses were damaged in the heavy shelling by the Pakistan Army all along the Kamalkote sector and at five other places in Uri recently," a government official said.
The government has also set up a control room and made arrangements for residents stay. The officials have been directed to remain alert in case of any eventuality.
Several families have been shifted from Kamalkote sector of Uri due to fear of shelling across LoC.
"The shelling started last week. Since then we could not sleep. Our lives depend on the mood of the soldiers," said Bashir Ahmad, a local resident of Uri. "Whenever there is any escalation, people of bordering areas are affected," he added.
People of 35 villages of Uri along the LoC live under constant fear since escalations between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama attack. People of these villages have been advised not to come out of homes unnecessarily and keep children inside doors.
Similarly, fear has also gripped other villages of Uri-Urusa, Silikote, Shoura, Churunda, Tilawari, Chakara, Guwati, Muripatti, Hajipeer, Budna, Alawadi.
Intense cross-border shelling also caused damage to several houses of Balakote in Mendhar sub-division of Poonch district Jammu region.
A woman, Amina Akhtar, 32, resident of Chaijla Mendhar was killed in cross border shelling in Poonch district of Jammu on last week.
An off-duty soldier, Naik Zakir Hussain was also wounded when a shell fired by Pakistan army landed in the premises of his house in Mankote area of Mendhar of Poonch district along the LoC. Residents have been advised to shift immediately inside bunkers at the time of shelling.
The residents of Rajouri along the LoC have also been advised to take preventive measures.
The government has also identified various buildings for the stay of residents. |
