50 houses damaged, several cattle perish
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 17: A woman was killed and five others were injured, one of them seriously, when Pakistani Rangers shelled almost entire Arnia sector on the International Border (IB) throughout last night while Pakistan claimed that it lost four persons and five others were injured in Sialkot sector during exchange of shelling and firing. Nearly 50,000 civilians in forward villages of Pakistan’s Sialkot sector have deserted their homes following heavy retaliation by the BSF.
Pakistani Rangers resorted to shelling with 81mm mortars and heavy fire arms throughout the last night, which continued till 6.30 am targeting civilian locations and forward Border Out Posts (BOPs) of the BSF in Arnia sector including Arnia town damaging more than 50 houses and cattle shed and leaving a woman dead and five others injured. A number of cattle were killed or injured in Pakistan’s shelling and firing.
Tonight also, Pakistan resumed shelling and firing in forward villages of Arnia sector.
Mortar shells landed insides houses of the people or very close to them causing intense damages last night. One of the shells exploded in the house of Chuni Lal, 62 at village Allah in Arnia sector, killing his 57 years old wife Ratano Devi and injuring Chuni Lal and Rajni Devi, 35, wife of Subash Chander and daughter-in-law of Chuni Lal.
Condition of 65 years old Maya Devi wife of Behari Lal R/o Ward No. 5, who was seriously injured in mortar shelling last night, remained critical while two other injured Rajni Kumar, 35, wife of Raj Kumar and her 12 year old son Shubam Kumar, residents of Ward No. 4, were responding to the treatment.
Sources told the Excelsior that mortar shelling and firing from Pakistan side started around 10 pm last night and continued till 6 am in which almost all villages of Arnia sector were hit. Several mortar shells fell in Arnia town.
“It was a war like situation last night. Mortar shells were raining in every village close to the International Border. It was very narrow escape for the civilians,” Ram Lal, a shopkeeper of Arnia town, said over phone. He added that it was “worst ever shelling” witnessed in Arnia town during the recent past.
Almost similar was the position at Sei Khurd, Nikowal, Jabowal, Allah, Treva and surrounding villages in Arnia sector, where bullets continued to rain throughout the night striking houses, shops and cattle sheds of the people, causing them heavy damages.
According to local people, a number of cattle have been killed or injured in yesterday’s shelling but exact number would be known tomorrow morning. More than 50 houses have suffered extensive damage in the shelling.
Meanwhile, Pakistan today claimed that at least four persons were killed and five others injured in their Sialkot sector of Lahore province on the International Border in the BSF firing. It said a total of 10 persons including two Rangers have lost their lives on the border in BSF shelling and firing opposite Arnia sector during last four days.
According to reports received here, nearly 50,000 civilians in Sialkot sector of Pakistan have fled from their houses on the International Border and taken shelter in safer areas.
Sources said the BSF has been retaliating Pakistan’s unprovoked firing and shelling very effectively as there had been reports that Lashkar-e-Toiba’s militants have also mixed up with Pakistan army to target the BSF and infiltrate into the Indian territory. Taking no chance, the BSF was taking all steps to counter infiltration attempts by the militants on the International Border.
Confirming presence of militants especially those of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit on Pakistan side of International Border opposite Arnia sector, sources said unprovoked mortar shelling and firing by the Pakistani Rangers on the BSF posts and civilian areas was also aimed at diverting attention of the troopers and civilians to push the armed infiltrators into this side. However, they added that the BSF while countering shelling and firing was also keeping strict vigil on the “unwanted movements” to ensure that the militants didn’t manage to intrude taking cover of Rangers’ provocations.
Meanwhile, despite intense shelling and firing, people in forward villages of Arnia sector stayed put in their houses and didn’t migrate to relief camps set up for them by the administration. However, some people have shifted to houses of their relatives.
Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) RS Pura, Surinder Choudhary said the people were in high spirits. However, he added, on their part the administration has put Contingency Plan in place to lodge the border dwellers if they choose to migrate.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh today visited the Government Medical College, Jammu and enquired condition of Pakistan shelling and firing victims, admitted in the hospital. They directed the doctors to ensure best possible treatment to the injured.
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