More casualties reported after Indian and Pakistani forces exchange in fierce gun battle
Las Vegas Herald Thursday 3rd November, 2016
• Indian and Pakistani forces engage in firing, leading to 24 deaths
• The Pakistani shooting in Ramgarh sector killed six people
• Additionally, two women died in the Rajouri sector
JAMMU, India - The intensifying military operations and attacks at the borders of long time rivals, India and Pakistan has threatened to snap the already delicate ties between both the nations.
In fresh gun battle between forces from both the countries, 24 deaths were reported, with eight civilians losing their lives. Nine others were reportedly injured in the firing.
A police official, who wished to remain anonymous said that six people, including two children were killed in Pakistani shooting in Ramgarh sector.
Civil administrator, Pawan Kotwal further confirmed that two women died in Rajouri sector as a result of the firing between both the forces. He added that nine individuals were injured.
A villager, Mohammad Saeed was quoted in local reports as saying, “It appears as if a full-blown war is going on between India and Pakistan. Please have mercy and stop it.”
Officials representing the Indian Defense Ministry said, “They have targeted our forward areas and we have also responded appropriately. They are using 120 mm, i.e. heavy, mortars and we are also responding in equal measure... We are hitting them hard.”
According to Kotwal, people living in rural areas around the frontier have been transferred to safer places and are living in government shelters for now.
The civilians living in rural areas near the Pakistani frontier have also been evacuated, according to region’s revenue minister, Sardar Farooq Sikandar.
An army officer and a border guard official on the Indian side of the border said that India was on the defence and they “befittingly” responded to, what was dubbed as an “unprovoked” violation of the 2003 ceasefire accord.
In the Rajouri sector, firing took place on Monday night, killing an Indian soldier and leaving four others injured.
India’s Jammu and Kashmir region has been at the centre of the violence for months now.
On Tuesday, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti urged India and Pakistan to communicate and sort things out between them to resolve issues that have long tormented both the nations.
Mufti said, “I am pained over the fresh spate of civilian killings, including children and women, in border shelling and urge the political leadership in New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective and urgent measures to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the miseries of the hapless people of the state who are caught in the deadly crossfire. We in state yearn for peace as we have been suffering immensely because of the hostility and violence in the region and know very well its dangers and perilous consequences.”
Mufti called on both the nations to resolve the issues as soon as possible.
Adding, “The escalation of violence along the borders and LoC should keep reminding India and Pakistan of the inevitability of sitting across the table to find a peaceful, just and pragmatic solution to all the contentious issues.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry based in Islamabad called on the Indian deputy high commissioner on Tuesday, and “strongly condemned unprovoked ceasefire violations” by Indian troops.
It is unclear which side was on the offence, seeing as both troops are blaming each other for violating the ceasefire.
The shooting has made both sides aware of the danger surrounding both the regions.
On Wednesday, the Indian part of Kashmir ordered close to 300 schools to shut down indefinitely in light of the violent clashes.
The Pakistan claimed part of Kashmir has closed down a total of 25 schools around the Nakyal sector.
Kotwal stated, “Nearly 300 schools, both private and government-run, have been asked to close down in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.”
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