Pakistan fired mortar shells and gunshots at over 60 villages and scores of forward posts in Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu and Kashmir in continuing ceasefire violations.
India had tried handing over a protest note regarding the ceasefire violation, but Pakistan allegedly refused to accept it. Nearly 10,000 people have fled from the border areas with 7,500 taking shelter in camps set up by the government in safer areas in Kathua and Samba districts since the latest round of ceasefire violations by Pakistan started on New Year Eve, officials said on Tuesday.
Displaced villagers, who fled their homes following cross-border firing along the India-Pakistan border, rest at a temple in Samba sector of Jammu. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo)
“Pakistan Rangers started shelling and firing on the Border Security Force border outpost at Chandrachek near the international border in Kathua district,” a senior police officer.
As tensions on the Indo-Pak border escalated, Border Security Force (BSF) Director General DK Pathak asserted that India wants peace along the border but will retaliate strongly if fired upon. “India will not do anything to disturb peace along the border but will retaliate befittingly if the situation demands,” Pathak told the media.
{{/usCountry}}As tensions on the Indo-Pak border escalated, Border Security Force (BSF) Director General DK Pathak asserted that India wants peace along the border but will retaliate strongly if fired upon. “India will not do anything to disturb peace along the border but will retaliate befittingly if the situation demands,” Pathak told the media.
{{/usCountry}}He had visited the affected regions on Tuesday to take stock of the situation.
Video: Villagers flee homes as Pak shelling continues