Pak again targets primary schools in Rajouri, one hurt

With no let-up in truce violations, Pakistan’s army on Wednesday opened heavy fire on Indian posts and forward villages along the LoC in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch wounding a civilian.

The injured man has been identified as Raza of Sandote.

A junior commissioned officer (JCO), who was injured grievously in Pak shelling in Nowshera sector of Rajouri on Tuesday, also succumbed to his injuries at a garrison hospital. The deceased has been identified as Shashi Kumar.

However, the Indian Army has not come out with any official statement on the death of the JCO. Jammu and Kashmir Police posted on its twitter account that “JCO Shashi Kumar, who was injured yesterday in border firing by Pakistan at Kalal # Nowshera and was under treatment, succumbed today (Wednesday)”.

He was shifted to a garrison hospital where he succumbed today, said a senior officer.

Another soldier, Sepoy Jaspreet Singh was also killed in cross-border shelling in Kalsian in Nowshera sector on Tuesday.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars from 8.45 am and 11.45 am along the LoC in BG sector in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

“The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively,” he said. Rajouri deputy commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told HT that Pakistan on Wednesday again fired 10-12 mortar rounds at two primary schools in Klotra and Kote Dhar in Manjakote area of Rajouri district. “Schools were already shut in this sector two days back. There were no adverse reports. At least 3,411 people are putting up in five relief camps in Nowshera town,” he said.

Over 8,000 people including 3,000 in Naushera and 5,000 in Manjakote-Rajdhani-PanjgrainNaika have been affected by the shelling. Authorities rescued 217 students and 15 teachers from various government schools along the LoC in Rajouri district on Tuesday.The students were ferried in bullet-proof vehicles.

Pakistan Army also shelled areas in Balakote, Dhar, Lambibari, Rajdhani, Mankote, Sandote in Rajouri and Poonch districts since early morning.