Baramulla: At least five civilians were injured and several houses damaged when shells fired from Pakistani side landed in Nambla village of Uri during an exchange of fire between the armies of India and Pakistan across the Line of Control (LoC on Saturday.
Official sources said that Indo-Pak armies exchanged heavy gun fire and artillery shells in Hajipeer sector of Uri after Pakistani rangers resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation.
They said Pakistani rangers violated ceasefire and targeted the forward posts of Indian army along the LoC.
Shells fired from across border landed in Pawpati, Mir Mohalla, and Raja Mohalla.
Five persons, injured in Pak firing, were identified as Ahmad Din Sheikh (55), Maqbool Ahmad Mangriyal (30), Sakeena Begum, Akhtera Bano and Idress Mushtaq, a local resident said.
“The injured were immediately evacuated to nearby primary health centre for the first-aid where their condition is stated to be as stable,” the officials said.
This is third ceasefire violation in past two weeks, and more than 20 families from the area have already shifted to safer places, sources said.
The areas like Silikote, Garktote, Hatlanga, Nambla and Rustom Mohallah were affected badly. SSP Baramulla Abdul Qayoom confirmed that five persons got injured in the ceasefire violation.
Defense officials said that Indian army responded effectively to Pakistani action and a befitting response was being given.
A few residential houses have also suffered damage, official sources said, adding, once the shelling stops, teams will go to the spot to assess the damage,” they said.
This year, a record number of 1640 ceasefire violations have been recorded in J&K on LoC where in Pakistan has used small arms to mortal shells besides indiscriminate gunfire, as per security officials.
“Every time Pakistan resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation, the army has given them a befitting reply by retaliating effectively,” a defence official said.
