Samba and Kathua district administrations have ordered the closure of schools in the bordering belts in view of heavy shelling from across the border while seven blasts were also reported near the relief camps in Samba sector.
Earlier, one BSF jawan was killed in fresh ceasefire violation by Pakistani Rangers who targeted Indian BoPs in Samba sector of Jammu region.
“Situation along the border is very tense and in view of continuous heavy shelling from across the IB, we have ordered the closure of schools in Hiranagar and Marheen belts from tomorrow till further orders,” Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner Kathua said.
Dr Choudhary said that all the examinations and assessment tests scheduled to be held in these areas have been postponed and fresh dates will be notified separately. He further said, “There was heavy shelling by Pakistan till this evening but intermittent firing is still continue”.
The DC said that today around 2,000 more border dwellers have been shifted to the safer locations in the buses of security forces while ambulances and teams of doctors have also been put on alert to meet any eventuality.
“Small arms firing were reported in Hiranagar Sub-Division all across the IB, which was followed by intense shelling,” the DC said adding that range of shelling also increased in areas like Chakra, Sherpur and Londi when shells exploded at the distance of 4-kms from the IB.
He said that more than 2,500 people have been evacuated to safer places making the number of migrants in relief camps to 4300.
Dr Choudhary said that five milch animals of Hans Raj and Beli Ram of village Manyari were killed in the shelling which also damaged 12 houses partially while concrete slab of house of one Mohan Lal was pierced by shelling.
“The number of migrants is expected to cross 12,000 as more than 15 villages have been affected during intense firing,” he added.
The DC said that the high alert has been sounded in view of heavy cross border firing.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Samba Mubarak Singh said the schools have also been closed in this belt, adding, “thousands of people have been shifted to the camps established by the district administration and the process is still underway.”
He also confirmed that at least seven blasts also took place near the camps in Keso and Barota villages but no injury or casualty was reported in the explosions. (AGENCIES)
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