Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: Director General of Military Operation (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhatt today strongly took up with his Pakistani counterpart the issue of Pakistani troops deliberately targeting civilians and firing at school children along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
This was the second stern warning by the Indian DGMO to his Pakistani counterpart Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza during past four days, the first being on Monday during telephonic conversation between the two after ceasefire violation by Pakistan along LoC in Rajouri and Poonch sectors.
During today’s telephonic conversation, Bhatt asked Pakistani DGMO to exercise “strict control” over his troops and instruct them to refrain from any “nefarious activities”, official sources said.
The Pakistani DGMO was informed about Pakistani troops deliberately targeting civilian villages and also firing at school children in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district when they were being evacuated from the area on Tuesday.
“This, he (Mirza) was told, does not behove any army. The Indian Army as professional force takes due care to avoid targeting of civilians and Pakistan army was expected to do the same,” sources said.
They added that the Pakistani DGMO was informed about the spate of ceasefire violations which also included “caliber escalation coupled with incidents of sniping and attempted infiltration”.
The two DGMOs had spoken on Monday as well, during which Bhatt told Mirza that the Indian Army reserves the right to retaliate appropriately against any incident of ceasefire violation along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said the Indian Army has been taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of life and property of Indian citizens.
The telephonic call over the hotline was initiated by Lt. Gen. Bhatt to protest Pakistani troops’ firing at school children.
Meanwhile, sources said, there has been no mortar shelling or firing along LoC in any area of Rajouri and Poonch districts since 4 pm yesterday. However, educational institutions in Nowshera, Manjakote and parts of Balakote sectors in the twin border districts remained closed today, as per an order issued by the administration following Tuesday’s shelling on the schools in which authorities had evacuated 261 students and teachers using bullet-proof bunkers.
The people in forward areas of Nowshera and Manjakote in Rajouri district and Balakote and Mendhar in Poonch district remained confined to their houses despite no shelling today as they feared that Pakistan could resume shelling anytime.
Sources said more than 110 livestock has been reported dead and two dozen houses damaged during past three days shelling in Nowshera sector alone. A total number of 35 structures including private houses, Government buildings including schools and structures have also been damaged in recent mortar shelling in Nowshera.
Meanwhile, district administration, Rajouri has established a new relief camp in wake of fresh migration triggered by repeated shelling in forward areas. The number of migrants in relief camps has crossed 4000.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary reviewed the amenities being provided in relief camps and arrangements for education of migrant students.
Total families comprising 3812 persons have been accommodated in 6 relief camps. Six relief camps have been established at Government Middle School, Gania around 10 kilometers from Nowshera. In Gania relief camp, 121 families comprising of 427 persons have been accommodated. Meanwhile 45 families comprising 204 persons have been accommodated in private houses.
The district administration has provided ration, fire wood, bedding, power supply including generator sets, potable drinking water, sanitation, table fans, first aid and other basic facilities at all the camps. Anganwadi Centres have been opened in camps and alternate classes for students have also been started in view of closure of schools. It is pertinent to mention here that 5 relief camps were established on May 11, 2017 due to heavy shelling by Pakistan army in Nowshera sector.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Director General (South Asia and SAARC) today again summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh in Islamabad and conveyed concern over heavy losses suffered by Pakistan in Indian shelling and firing.
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