https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...k-s-rajouri/story-03Z66NvoXYmfKcRVqCTkbJ.html
Increasing its arc of ceasefire violations, Pakistani troops have fired and shelled forward areas along the LoC in Sunderbani, Nowshera and Khour sectors of Rajouri and Jammu districts, forcing the Indian Army to retaliate effectively.
The Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire agreement around 1030 hours on Wednesday in Nowshera, Kalal and Sunderbani sectors along the Line of Control in Rajouri district, a defence spokesman said.
Pakistani troops also resorted to ceasefire violations in Chakla and Baldoo areas in Khour sector late Tuesday night, the police said.
“(The Indian) Army is retaliating effectively”, they said.
On Tuesday, the Pakistan Army shelled forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir, injuring two jawans of the Border Security Force.
Authorities have shut 72 schools along the LoC in Rajouri district and in Mendhar sector of Poonch district as a precautionary measure.
Ceasefire violations along the LoC and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir have left 21 people, including 12 security personnel, dead and more than 80 others, mostly civilians, injured this year.
Though no ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops was reported along the IB since January 22, intermittent shelling has taken place along the LoC.
Silikote villagers, who lost their limbs in Pak firing in 2000s, at a camp in Uri. Tribune photo: Yawar Kabli
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...victims-told-to-stay-put-in-camps/550694.html
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, February 27
After reviewing the situation in the villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri, the local administration today decided that the shelling-affected families cannot return as the situation is not yet conducive.
Earlier, the administration had on Monday said the families may start returning to their houses.
The decision not to shift over 130 families was taken by the civil and police authorities after visiting the affected villages in the Uri sector today.
“The Uri Sub-Divisional Police Officer and I went to the affected villages and even travelled to the areas beyond the fence to evaluate the situation. But, we are of the opinion that the people should stay in the camps for some time. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate whether it was safe for the villagers to return. We have decided to wait for two more days before deciding whether the villagers living in camps can return to their homes,” Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Uri, D Sagar told The Tribune.
Over 130 families have migrated from the seven most-affected villages, including Silikote, Tilwari, Churanda and others, along the LoC in the Hajipir sector as Indian and Pakistani armies exchanged mortars and heavy artillery shells since last Monday.
The villagers are putting up at makeshift camps at two government schools in Uri town. With fear looming large, the displaced residents also refused to go back to their homes, saying they wanted an assurance regarding their safety before going back to their homes, sources said.
The sources said some residents were taken in ambulances to the affected villages. “However, they returned as they wanted an assurance from the Army about their safety,” they said. On the other hand, the authorities in Uri have decided to relocate the affected families to new camp sites at Town Hall and Industrial Training Institute at Lagama as the schools, where the villagers are currently putting up, are opening from next Monday.
“We don’t want to disrupt education of the students. So it has been decided to relocate the affected families,” the SDM said.
Relief material distributed
- A delegation of traders from Baramulla and Srinagar on Tuesday visited Uri to distribute relief material to the affected families and show “solidarity” with them
- The 53 Battalion CRPF also provided relief material to the displaced villagers. “The Commandant while distributing the relief material said it is our duty to protect the people,” the CRPF said
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Shyam Sood
Rajouri, February 27
The Pakistan army today resorted to heavy mortar shelling on Indian forward posts and civil areas in Manjakot, Tarkundi and Ghambhir sectors in Rajouri.
“A few mortar shells landed near the forward posts of the Border Security Force (BSF) in the Manjakot sector, resulting in injuries to two constables” said sources.
The injured have been identified as Constable Dhana Shekhar and Constable Balvinder Singh. After being provided first aid, both were taken to Army Hospital at Rajouri. The Pakistan army resorted to heavy mortar shelling in Tarkundi Gali and Kangagali areas, creating tension among the local population.
In the Manjakot sector, including Lambi Bari, Khorinar and Dhar areas, the Pakistan army resorted to heavy shelling at 8.45 am. The mortar shells besides hitting the areas near forward posts also landed in villages.
“Five-eight mortar shells fell near the high school at Khorinar where Class VIII examination was scheduled for today. On the directions of the Chief Education Officer, the school was closed and the examination centre was shifted to a nearby primary school at Hattian,” said a teacher.
Refuting the claims that students of a few schools situated near the Line of Control were trapped during the shelling, District Development Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhry said: “No student was stuck in any of the schools in Rajouri district.” According to initial reports, a shed of one Haji Faiz Mohdwas damaged in the mortar shelling at Kundi Nakar (Tarkundi Gali). “The Indian Army has retaliated unprovoked firing/mortar shelling by Pakistan army strongly and effectively,” said Col Hari, an Army spokesman.
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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/lt-gen-anbu-visits-north-kashmir/550691.html
Srinagar, February 27
Amid tension along the Line of Control (LoC), the Northern Command chief Lt Gen D Anbu today reviewed security situation in the Valley.
He also visited forward areas in north Kashmir.
Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said the Northern Command chief, accompanied by Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen AK Bhatt, was briefed by the commanders in Baramulla and Kupwara on the ground regarding the Army’s operational preparedness.
“The Army commander was appreciative of the measures and standard operating procedures taken by the units and formations to meet the challenges of infiltration bids and ceasefire violations,” the spokesman said.
Commending the troops for their dedication to duty and high standards of professionalism, Lt General Anbu asked them to continue strict vigil to thwart nefarious designs of inimical elements and also to provide all necessary relief and assistance to the locals affected by the recent ceasefire violations.
He also lauded the excellent synergy among security forces, along the LoC and hinterland, to meet any emerging security challenges and maintain a safe, secure and peaceful environment for the people, the spokesman said. — TNS
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Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said to a question about continuance of ceasefire violations and heavy shelling by Pakistani troops along LoC targeting civilians and schools in Rajouri and Poonch districts.
“If they (both the nations) don’t think of peace, the firing will not stop.
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Rajouri: Seventytwo government schools situated near the LoC, falling in four education zones in Rajouri district, will remain closed on Wednesday following heavy shelling by the Pakistan army on civil areas on Tuesday. The decision was taken after a few examination centres were relocated due to Pakistan army shelling in Manjakot and Ghambhir sub-sectors on Tuesday.
According to District Development Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhry, 20 schools were situated in Nowshera, five in Sunderbani, 29 in Manjakot, five in Rajouri and 13 in Dungi education zones. OC
