Pakistan targets 30 border outposts, hamlets in Samba and Kathua districts

JAMMU: Pakistan targeted 30 border outposts and several hamlets today with mortar bombs and heavy machine guns in Samba and Kathua districts injuring a civilian, as it continued ceasefire violations for the fourth day.

"Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing on BSF posts along the IB in Samba and Kathua districts from 1900 hours last night," a BSF officer said.

"They fired 82 mm mortar shells and used heavy machine guns (HMGs) to target 30 BoPs and border villages in Ramgarh, Samba, Kathua and Hiranagar sectors", he said.

BSF troops retaliated resulting in exchanges which continued till 0500 hours today, he said.

One villager was injured in the mortar shelling this morning in Ramgarh sector and hospitalised, a police officer said, adding that several cattle have died or were injured in the shelling.

The ceasefire violations by Pakistan, which had stopped after the Director General-level talks between BSF and Pakistan Rangers in Delhi on September 12, resumed on October 23 and a civilian has been killed and seven injured till now.

The civilian was killed and two others were injured when Pakistani troops indulged in heavy firing along the International Border in Mangu Chak border outpost on October 23.

One October 24, two civilians were injured in Pakistan firing along IB in Samba sector. A school bus, a private minibus and tractor were also damaged.

Two civilians were injured in Pakistani firing yesterday.

Several villages, particularly Sujanpur, Mawa, Bhati and Bobiya were hit by mortar shells.

Authorities have advised villagers living along Indo-Pak Border in Samba district to stay indoors and at safer places during cross border shelling while police has put in place bullet proof vehicles for any emergency.