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Woman killed in Pak shelling on LoC Uri
18 families evacuated to safer places

WATSUPPTODAY | SRINAGAR

A woman was killed and another injured on Friday during ceasefire violations by Pakistan as it targeted defence and civilian facilities across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri sector.
Army spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said Pakistan initiated unprovoked shelling in Rampur sector of Baramulla district by firing mortars and other weapons and the Indian soldiers gave a befitting reply to the ceasefire violation.
Locals, however, said both Indian and Pakistani armies on the LoC had been targeting each other’s pickets since Friday morning and many shells landed in the villages in Uri sector.
A woman in Thajal village was killed while another woman received splinter injuries when shells landed close to their houses.
Locals said the Army was using bofors artillery to target the Pakistani pickets and the intensity of the shelling has left the villagers in panic as many fled towards the neighbouring town of Uri.
“It started in the morning and both sides were firing on each other. We saw shells landing at Thajal, Churunda and Silikote villages. Indian Army is also firing towards PoK. Villagers are confined within their homes as they fear for their lives,” said Zaffar Ahmad, a resident of Garkote in Uri.
He said that in the absence of underground bunkers, villagers fear for their safety. “Only a few families have old underground bunkers,” he added.
Meanwhile, acting on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Uri Reyaz Ahmad today paid visit to the border area in Hajipir Sector in order to take stock of the prevailing situation arising out of continued cross LoC shelling.
Keeping in view the overall situation and the safety of human lives, SDM evacuated about 18 families belongining to silkot and other adjoining villages to the safer places.
On the occasion, SDM said that satisfactory arrangements which includes essential commodities and other requirements of day today life have been made for these families. He also said that administration has geared up all the preparations in case of any exigency. He also directed the concerned authorities to keep strict vigil on the situation and make all requisite arrangements for the rehabilitation of the people who have left their homes and are presently accommodated by the administration.