Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Mar 27: Unexploded mortar shells fired by Pakistani troops and lying in the agriculture area and near the houses of villagers residing close to the Line of Control in Dharana and Chajjla area of Mendhar of Poonch district, are posing risk to the lives of the people there.
Local of the area said that the Pakistani troops had fired dozens of mortar shells on the residential areas at Darana and Chajjla village and adjoining hamlets in Mendhar about a week ago. Several live shells are still lying in agriculture fields, and have not been removed or defused by the Army or the Police authorities so far.
The villagers are scared as their children and cattle move around in the area. They fear explosion of these live shells any time risking the lives of their children and the cattle, on whom they mainly depend.
These villagers alleged that concerned Army units and even the Police were well aware of the shelling but it did not bother to clear the area after shelling from Pak side stopped. No Army, Police or Civil officer came to the village after the incident of shelling, they said.
SDPO Mendhar Neeraj Padyar said, ” We have identified many live mortar shells along the LoC in Mankot Sector. Police have written to the Army to set up a bomb disposal squad and detect and defuse bomb shells.”
Padyar further said, “We have written to the Army to carry out an operation and detect and defuse mortar bomb shells which are lying in border villages and agricultural fields as they can pose a threat to area dwellers.”
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