M A I N   N E W S

Heavy shelling by Pakistani troops in
Kargil, Dras sectors

Srinagar, April 12
Life came to a standstill in Kargil and Dras after Pakistani troops opened unprovoked artillery and mortar shelling from across the border, damaging two houses.

Reports of shelling by Pakistani troops were received from Uri sector also.

Official sources told UNI that Pakistani troops resorted to heavy artillery and mortar shelling, targeting civilian areas and security forces’ installations in Dras and Kargil sector today.

The sources said about 12 shells fell at Goma, causing damage to two houses.

However, the inmates escaped unhurt as they had shifted to underground bunkers minutes before the shells landed there.

The sources said the Pakistani troops fired more than 60 shells. However, most of them did not cause any damage.

A resident, Ghulam Nabi Zia, said on phone from Kargil that life came to halt after the blasts rocked the town. People hid in underground bunkers. The town wore a deserted look and transport vehicles went off the roads. Shopkeepers also put up their shutters while schools were closed, he said, adding that hardly anybody was seen on the roads.

The sources said heavy shelling by the Pakistani troops was also reported from Dras sector early today.

The shells were fired at Goshan, Marbagh, Holiyal, Chowkiyal and Mushkoo. However, there were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property in the shelling.

The sources added that Indian positions were shelled in Uri sector today. However, no one was injured.

Indian troops retaliated and hit a number of Pakistani bunkers at all three places. But the exact damage suffered by the troops across the border was not immediately known, they added.

State Director-General of Police A. K. Suri said infiltration from across the border had not stopped.

He said there were three infiltration attempts in Rajouri and Poonch sectors during the past one week. However, alert troops eliminated at least eight infiltrators near the Line of Control. UNI