* Ceasefire violation in Macchil sector
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 5: For the first time during week-long skirmishes along Line of Control (LoC), about 3000 people today shifted from forward areas along Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector as Pakistan army pounded almost all forward villages in Nowshera, Pallanwalla, Mendhar, Balakote, Mankote, Balnoi and some areas of Sunderbani sector spread over three border districts of Rajouri, Jammu and Poonch with heavy mortar shells of 120mm and 82mm damaging Government school and some private houses.
Pakistan extended the shelling to Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district this evening by firing mortar shells and firing with heavy automatic guns in Kota Mata Mandi area, triggering panic among the civilians.
The shelling in Sunderbani started at 5 pm and was going on when the reports last came in.
Meanwhile, Director General BSF KK Sharma today visited several forward areas along International Border (IB) and LoC and reviewed operational preparedness and alertness of the troops to meet with any kind of eventuality from Pakistan side, which was frustrated after September 29 surgical strikes by the Indian Army inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
IG BSF Jammu DK Upadhyaya briefed the DG BSF on preparedness of the BSF jawans along frontiers with Pakistan and steps taken to thwart any kind of infiltration attempt by the militants, backed by Pakistan army and Rangers, along the borders.
Sharma called upon the BSF jawans to maintain optimum level of alertness along the borders and defence installations and give befitting response to Pakistan if the need arises. After visiting several border areas and inter-acting with field commanders and people, the BSF chief expressed satisfaction with high morale of the BSF troops.
Sources said after intense shelling at Bhawani, Sher Makri, Jhanghar, Kalsian, Kallal, Kalai and surrounding areas along LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district overnight, people from several villages shifted to safer areas.
About 3000 people from these areas have taken shelter in Government accommodation and houses of their relatives in safer areas.
Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nowshera Harbans Lal Sharma was supervising arrangements for the migrants. So far, 487 people of Kalsian have taken shelter in Government High School, Nanyal while 81 persons from Kalai were camping at Government High School Kali Dey in Sunderbani. About 220 people of Kalal have been accommodated in Government High School Potha while 30 people from Sher Makri were lodged in Government Middle School Bawali.
A large number of people from several forward areas of Nowshera were on way to safer areas, where they were expected to reach by midnight tonight. Sources said several families from forward village of Nowshera including Jhanghar have left for the houses of their relatives.
Government High School, Sair in Nowshera was hit by a mortar shell and damaged. Similarly, some houses were also damaged after being hit by mortars fired by Pakistan Army.
At all the places, Indian Army has given effective response to Pakistani shelling.
In Sunderbani sector, firing was reported from Kota Mata Mandi area followed by mortar shelling this evening.
ETV reporter Shakti Sharma was injured while covering shelling in Nowshera sector this morning.
At 5.15 pm, Pakistan army pounded all forward areas from Pallanwalla to Jogma sectors of Akhnoor tehsil in Jammu district drawing adequate and appropriate response from the Indian side. Almost entire population of Pallanwalla sector has already migrated to safer areas including Khour.
At 5.45 pm, heavy shelling started from Pakistan side in Mendhar, Balakote, Mankote and Balnoi in Poonch district. Here also, the troops from Indian side responded very effectively and exchanges continued till late tonight.
Sources said there were no casualties on Indian side during today’s heavy mortar shelling and firing in all three districts of Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch. However, casualties, if any, on Pakistan side were not known.
Situation along the International Border (IB) remained normal with no shots fired from either side. However, in many villages along the IB, people were maintaining high alert but have preferred not to migrate. Only from few villages, people have left for the houses of their relatives, sources said.
Meanwhile, Pakistani troops today violated ceasefire in Macchil sector of the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district.
Sources said that the Pakistan troops fired mortars and artillery to target Indian posts in the area. The firing started at around 6.30 p.m and was going on till last reports reached in.
The Army deployed in the sector gave befitting reply to the Pakistani ceasefire violation. They also fired mortars and artillery to target Pakistani posts.
Sources said that this is for the first time that artillery firing has taken place since the recent escalation of tension along the LoC after Uri attack.
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