Tension escalates, heavy LoC shelling, firing all day

JAMMU:The Line of Control LoC witnessed escalation in tension on Tuesday with the Pakistan army resorting to ceasefire violations in Pallanwala and Nowshera sectors of Jammu and Rajouri districts respectively Pakistan used 120 mm and 82 mm mortars and small arms at both places

Updated At : 06:35 AM Oct 05, 2016 IST

A resident assesses the damage in Saujiyan sector of Poonch district on Tuesday. A car, 31 shops, two bikes and some houses were damaged after they caught fire due to shelling on Monday. Tribune Photo

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 4

The Line of Control (LoC) witnessed escalation in tension on Tuesday with the Pakistan army resorting to ceasefire violations in Pallanwala and Nowshera sectors of Jammu and Rajouri districts, respectively.

Pakistan used 120 mm and 82 mm mortars and small arms at both places.

Local sources said three persons were injured in the firing, but the district administration didn’t confirm it. “According to reports of the Chief Medical Officer, Jammu, and the police, no civilian has been injured,” Jammu Deputy Commissioner Simrandeep Singh said.

At Pallanwala, the firing started around 2 pm and was continuing till the last report came in. Platan, Channi, Gigdyal, Damanu and Chapeyal villages were affected in the area.

In Nowshera sector, firing started around 12.30 am and continued till 11 am. Villages between Kalsian and Makri were affected in this sector.

PRO (Defence) Lt Col Manish Mehta said firing and shelling was continuing in Pallanwala sector and the Army was giving a befitting reply.

Locals in Pallanwala sector said 200 to 300 mortars were fired from across the LoC, creating panic. “I am at the zero line and shelling is intensifying with every passing minute,” said Satish Sharma, son of former MP Madan Lal Sharma.

Around 5 pm, Pakistan resorted to ceasefire violations in Nowshera and KG sectors using small arms and mortars. The firing stopped in KG sector at 8 pm, but it was intermittently on in Nowshera.