Several evacuated in bunkers, others migrate
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 22: The BSF launched major counter offensive against Pakistani Rangers late last night along the International Border targeting their Chappar, Harpal and Charwa sectors opposite Ramgarh, Arnia and RS Pura in which nine Pakistanis including three Rangers and six civilians were killed and 26 others were injured while five posts and some bunkers were decimated.
The strong retaliation from the BSF was necessitated as Pakistani posts in these three Sectors were raining mortars and bullets in civilian areas falling along the International Border from Ramgarh to RS Pura, leading to migration and evacuation of the civilians in bullet proof bunkers.
In another development, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhat talked tough with his Pakistani counterpart Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza on the hotline stating that India reserved the right to retaliate appropriately to any incident leading to loss of lives of our troops in Pakistan shelling and firing. The talks were held at the behest of Pakistan DGMO.
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On the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan army opened firing in civilian areas at Khari Karmara in Poonch sector at 6.30 pm today causing injuries to Mohammad Shoaib, 8, S/o Mohammad Rafiq.
Tonight again, Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing in entire Ramgarh sector and parts of Arnia and R S Pura sectors. In Hiranagar sector, many people shifted to safer areas late tonight anticipating firing from across.
Authorities pressed bullet proof bunkers to evacuate civilians from Joura Farm in RS Pura, Arnia town, Jerda and SM Pur in Ramgarh and some other villages at the midnight last night as Pakistani Rangers were pounding civilian areas with 82mm mortars and there was apprehension of civilian casualties.
“As many as 727 civilians, majority of them women, children and elderly citizens were evacuated in the bullet proof bunkers and shifted to safer locations,” sources said.
Sources told the Excelsior that the BSF targeted posts of the Rangers at Chappar, Harpal and Charwa sectors in Sialkot district of Lahore province, opposite Ramgarh, Arnia and RS Pura sectors of Jammu district to silence the enemy guns, which were pounding the civilian areas.
Pakistan today admitted killing of nine persons on their side in the three Sectors including three Rangers and injuries to 26 others, many of them troopers. It said condition of number of injured was serious and death toll could significantly go up.
Pakistan summoned Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Gautam Bambawale and lodged protest over the killings.
Sources said India remained committed to its stand that it won’t initiate first fire and retaliate heavily only when fired upon by the Rangers.
Apart from the casualties, sources pointed out that Pakistan has suffered heavy damage in retaliatory firing by the BSF. Five posts of the Rangers and some bunkers were razed to ground overnight. Large number of villagers in forward areas of Sialkot sector of Pakistan have already deserted their houses.
Seven civilians were injured during past two nights in Arnia and RS Pura sectors and condition of two of them was stated to be serious. A BSF jawan and a woman have been martyred in Pakistan shelling and firing so far in Arnia sector.
In overnight firing, sources said, nearly 50 houses have been damaged in the three Sectors of Ramgarh, Arnia and RS Pura while large number of cattle were killed and injured. Authorities were conducting survey to find out exact number of cattle dead and wounded in Pakistan shelling and firing. A number of cattle shed and other structures were also damaged.
Shelling stopped around 6 am today.
Meanwhile, following intense shelling last night and heavy damages suffered by Pakistan, the civilians from various border villages of Ramgarh sector in Samba district and Arnia and RS Pura sectors in Jammu district, migrated tonight to safer areas anticipating that Pakistan, frustrated by the losses, might again resort to shelling.
Authorities said a number of relief camps including the Government buildings and premises of religious and social organizations have been designated as the camps for border dwellers. However, number of people have shifted to houses of their relatives while others were putting up in the relief camps.
People from some border villages in RS Pura sector held demonstration in the border town today demanding strong reply to Pakistan for frequent violations of ceasefire. They also demanded 5 marla plots for the border people, free and regular power supply and other facilities to the people living along the International Border.
Director Health Dr Gurjit Singh visited border villages and directed doctors and para-medical staff to remain stationed at all health centres round-the-clock to help Pakistan shelling and firing victims. He assured the people that they will be provided all possible medical help in the village hospitals. He also directed stationing of ambulance in the border village hospitals.
Meanwhile, in a blunt message, the Indian Army today conveyed to Pakistan that it reserves the right to “retaliate appropriately” to any incident leading to the loss of lives of its troops due to Pakistani firing along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a telephonic conversation, Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen A K Bhatt conveyed to his Pakistani counterpart that the trend of cross-border infiltration with “active support” of Pakistani forward posts has been continuing, impacting peace and tranquility in the border areas, the Army said.
“Lt Gen Bhatt reiterated that the Indian Army is a professional Army and reserves the right to retaliate appropriately to any incident leading to loss of lives of Indian troops,” it said.
Bhatt also told Pakistan DGMO Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza that cross-border infiltration was also impacting internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and that this was evident from continued attempts of sniping and targeting of Indian troops undertaken through cross-border actions “duly supported” by the Pakistan army troops, the Army said.
The DGMO also reaffirmed that the Indian Army would like to maintain peace and tranquility along the LoC provided there was a reciprocal effort from Pakistan.
The telephonic conversation was initiated by Maj Gen Mirza who claimed the Indian Army was targeting Pakistani civilians in the Jammu sector.
“The Indian DGMO in his response highlighted that all ceasefire violations in the Jammu sector were initiated by Pakistani Rangers and the BSF troops deployed only responded appropriately to them.
“It was also emphasized that no targeted firing on civilians was carried out by the Indian troops. Apart from this, firing by BSF troops was initiated against armed intruders attempting to infiltrate from close proximity of Pakistani posts along Amritsar border,” the Army said.
The LoC in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a spurt in ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops and the Indian Army has been retaliating effectively to Pakistani actions.
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