Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 17: There has been no let up in heavy shelling and firing by the Pakistan army on the Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote and surrounding sectors of Poonch and Rajouri districts. After overnight shelling in Balakote and Krishna Ghati sectors that continued till 4 am today, Pakistan army resumed shelling in forward areas of Balakote at 6.20 pm and Manjakote at 9 pm today that continued till late tonight.
However, there were no casualties or damage on the Indian side in mortar shelling and heavy arms firing by Pakistan till tonight.
Officiating PRO (Army) Jammu SN Acharya said Pakistan army started unprovoked and heavy shelling with mortars and firing with automatic and heavy weapons in Balakote sector at 6.20 pm today. The Indian side gave an appropriate response to the shelling, leading to heavy exchanges, which were going on when the reports last came in.
Pakistan army targeted forward villages of Darhati, Panjni and Balakote with mortars apart from forward posts of the Army, which retaliated.
Later Pakistan army extend shelling at Balakote’s surrounding areas like Tarkundi Gali, Thul Phara and Kanga Gali, adjacent to Manjakote sector of Rajouri.
The people remained confined to their houses to protect themselves, official sources said, adding that several mortar shells fell close to houses of the people and fields, causing panic among the border dwellers of Balakote.
The last night shelling and firing from the Pakistan side in Balakote and Krishna Ghati sectors also continued till 4 am today in which several shells fell in the border villages.
Sources said the people were worst affected by the shelling in Balakote sector as they were not even able to come out of their houses. Six civilians were killed and about 20 others were injured in Pakistan shelling in Balakote on August 15 and 16. Pakistan side had also suffered heavy losses.
A BSF jawan was martyred in Gambhir area of Manjakote sector in Rajouri district a day before in Pakistan shelling while yesterday a Pakistan army jawan was killed opposite the same sector.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel