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Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 4: There was no let up in heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan army along the Line of Control (LoC) as new front was opened today in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district while forward villages of Pallanwalla in Akhnoor bore the brunt of shelling since this afternoon. Intensity of shelling was today less in Poonch with firing reported only from Balnoi sector.
Official sources told the Excelsior that about 100 people from Kalai Morha and Mangiot villages along LoC in Sunderbani sector, bordering Pallanwalla on one side and Nowshera on the other, migrated to Government High School, Kali Day this evening as heavy shelling continued in Pallanwalla and Nowshera.
However, people in forward areas of Nowshera haven’t migrated so far in view of continued shelling but there were reports that some people could shift to safer areas once the shelling stops.
Sources said Pakistan army opened new front in Nowshera sector by resorting to heavy shelling with 120 and 82 mm mortars in Nowshera sector at 4 am today. Yesterday, the target was Poonch sector, where six civilians were injured, 27 shops, two bikes and car were burnt in Gagrian area of Sabjian sector after fuel dump caught fire. The Pakistan shelling had stopped only after Pakistan’s `Twin-1′ post was decimated by the Indian troops opposite Sabjian.
Sources said Kalsian, Kallal, Kalai, Makri and Jhanghar areas along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district were heavily shelled by the Pakistan army from 4 am to 7.30 am. Afterwards, intermittent shelling continued. The Indian side retaliated effectively.
At about 7 pm, Pakistan resumed heavy shelling in same forward areas of Nowshera sector, which was going on when the reports last came in.
However, so far, there had been no report of any casualties or damage on the Indian Army or civilians’ side in Nowshera sector. There was also no report of any major damage. But, the people stayed indoors and were in state of panic.
“As intermittent shelling continued in entire Nowshera sector during the day, the people couldn’t shift to safer locations,” sources said, adding that there was no migration from any part of Nowshera though the administration has kept Government accommodation including schools and other places like community halls, temples etc ready for the border dwellers, in case they migrate.
Pakistan army was using 120mm and 82mm mortar shells in targeting forward Indian Army posts and civilian areas in the shelling. Several shells were reported to have fallen very close to the civilian areas.
In Pallanwalla sector of Akhnoor, Pakistan army started pounding forward villages at 1.35 pm at Chani Dewano, Palatan, Budhwal, Gigrial and surrounding areas with 82mm and 120mm shells. The Indian side retaliated, leading to heavy exchanges, which were going on when the reports last came in.
An Army jawan Dhirender Visht was reportedly injured in shelling in Pallanwalla sector though there was no confirmation of the injury by the Army.
Almost entire population of Pallanwalla sector in Akhnoor tehsil has already shifted to safer areas three days back ever since Pakistan started heavy shelling and firing in civilian areas.
After day’s lull, Pakistan resumed shelling and firing in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district including Mankote, Balnoi areas etc at 7 pm drawing effective response from the Indian side.
Initially, it was small arms firing from Pakistan side but later the troops from across the LoC started using mortar shells. The Indian side was giving appropriate response.
Till the reports last came in tonight, heavy shelling was going on at Nowshera, Krishna Ghati and Pallanwalla sectors, all falling along the LoC in Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu districts respectively.
While six civilians including five women were injured yesterday in Sabjian sector of Poonch, there was no civilian casualties (fatal or non-fatal) today in any area, sources said.
The International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts, however, remained peaceful though people from some areas have shifted to the houses of their relatives and Government accommodation in safer areas. However, most of them returned to their houses during the day.
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