Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 3: A civilian was injured as Pakistan Army continued heavy shelling and firing in forward Indian posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector even as para-military and police personnel conducted searches in forward villages of Hiranagar sector along the International Border (IB) after a civilian reported movement of two militants at village Ratna Chak heading towards Mathra Chak along Tarnah Nullah.
Official sources said the mortar shells and rockets fired by the Pakistani troops once again landed in civil areas causing serious injuries to a civilian, who has been identified as Mohammad Showkat son of Mohammad Sharief, a resident of village Kayian in Mandi sector of Poonch district.
Security forces and police evacuated the civilian from the site of firing and shifted him to hospital. His condition was stated to be serious as he had sustained splinter injuries from the mortar shell that landed in his house at forward village of Kaiyan in Mandi sector. Ten goats were killed in the house due to shelling. The house was also damaged.
Showkat has become ninth civilian to be injured in firing and shelling by the Pakistani troops in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch since August 5 when tensions escalated on the LoC. Eight civilians had already been injured in firing and shelling of Pakistan Army in the forward areas.
Pakistan Army started firing and shelling in forward areas of Sher Shakti, Kirni, Bandi Chechiyan and Shahpur in Poonch sector and parts of Mandi sector at 9.30 am today. Indian troops retaliated effectively. Barring non-fatal casualty to a civilian and killing of 10 goats, no other damage was reported on the Indian side in Pakistan firing and shelling, sources said.
The firing from Pakistan side continued till late this evening.
Yesterday, Pakistan Army had resorted to firing and shelling in Balakote sector and parts of Mendhar sector. Firing and shelling from Pakistan in violation of ceasefire agreement of India and Pakistan has been going on since intervening night of August 5 and 6 when five Indian Army personnel were killed in Sarla battalion area of Poonch.
Meanwhile, SSP Kathua Mohan Lal said a civilian Krishan Chand sounded police that he had observed movement of two militants carrying `pithoos’ at forward village of Ratna Chak in Hiranagar sector at 5.30 am today. The civilian said the militants were heading towards Mathra Chak along Tarnah Nullah.
The SSP said immediately after getting the report police parties from Hiranagar and Rajbagh police stations along with para-military BSF and CRPF conducted massive search operations in the area during the day. All Nullahs, forests, fields etc along Tarnah and surrounding villages were searches. However, he added, no contact was established with any militants.
“We are on alert. We are not taking any chance. Searches would continued throughout the night,” Mohan Lal said.
Sources said though the chances of infiltration of militants were remote, still police was not taking any chances and would like to conduct searches in all areas surrounding Ratna Chak and ahead in Hiranagar sector.
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