Army soldier injured in Pak shelling dies

34yearold had sustained injuries after Pak resorted to unprovoked firing on Jan 20; death toll mounts to 13

JAMMU: A 34-year-old Indian Army soldier, who was injured in “unprovoked firing” by Pakistan in Krishna Ghati (KG) sector along the Lo Con January 20, succumbed to his injuries in a hospital on Wednesday, an official said.

“During the exchange of fire, Naik Jagadish sustained grievous splinter injuries. He was immediately evacuated and provided intensive medical care in the Military Hospital,” the spokesperson of the Northern Command Colonel N N Joshi said.

However, despite all efforts, the soldier succumbed to his injuries in the early hours on Wednesday, he added.

Naik Jagadish belonged to G and a shu village in Ch a mo li district of Uttarakhand. He is survived by his wife Usha Devi and two young children.

“Naik Jagadish was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty,” Col Joshi added.

Intense shelling and firing by Pakistan forces since January 17 have killed two personnel of the Border Security Force men, four army soldiers and seven civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. Firing from across the border has forced thousands of people to flee their homes and take shelter in rehabilitation camps orwith their relatives.

SCHOOLS CLOSED

While guns on the International Border and Line of Control remained silent since January 22, the state government as a precautionary measure has decided to keep all the schools within five km radius of the IB and LoC closed till January 26.

Additional deputy commissioner of Jammu district, Dr Arun Manhas said 248 schools along the IB and LoC in Jammu district will remain closed till January 26. He added, “There is fresh firing by Pakistan since January 22.”

However, a home department official said that keeping in mind volatile situation and January 28 being Sunday, the schools are likely to open on January 29.

Similarly, schools in Rajouri and Poonch district will remain closed till January 28.

PEOPLE AVOID GOING BACK TO THEIR HOMES

An eerie calm prevailed in forward villages and hamlets along the IBand LoCinJammu region where people are still skeptical about fragile peace.

“Majority of the people are still avoiding spending nights in their houses on the border. Before dusk, families, mostly women, children and elderly either fall back to their relatives’ houses or camps,” said Darshan Lal, 54, of Arnia town.

Intense Pak shelling since January 17 also left nearly 60 people injured besides triggering migration of over 45,000 people.

NAIK JAGADISH BELONGED TO GANDASHU VILLAGE IN CHAMOLI DISTRICT OF UTTARAKHAND