As the Pakistani Army continued unprovoked ceasefire violation in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir, eight villages were seriously affected in the aftermath.
Pakistan had originally targeted 26 villages.
A total of 193 families, comprising of 743 persons were forced to take shelter in makeshift camps. As many as 609 border residents were evacuated by Saturday evening.
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Around 51 schools in the Nowshera region, and 36 of Manjakote and Doongi zones have also been closed for an indefinite period.
Two civilians have been killed in the ceasefire violation, to which the Indian troops gave a befitting reply.
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“Pakistani Army initiated and indulged in indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0715 hours along the Line of Control (LC) in Naushera sector,” an official statement confirmed.
The thousands of evacuated villagers in the region were relocated to safer places in government set up makeshift tent camps. Food was also arranged for the dislocated by the state.
“We don’t want anything. We don’t want to go anywhere, don’t want to go back to our place. We just request the government to shoot us,” said a resident in Nowshera.
The Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said earlier that the government has established four relief camps and another 26 are being identified in case people are evacuated from the region.
“Four relief camps have already been established and 26 are being identified in case more evacuation is needed. We have have provided all the relief camps with every facility. Around 100 officers are on duty,” Choudhary said.
He also said that around 20-25 villages are affected, of which, heavy shelling has been reported in Nowshera.
He also added that two people have been killed and three injured, one whose condition is critical has been referred to Jammu for further treatment.
“Right now the kin of the deceased are being offered Rs. one lakh in compensation. Later, as per norms, we will provide them with more,” he said.
He said that it is a bit challenging to evacuate people from the region in the middle of heavy shelling, but, the evacuation process would be done by evening.