Over 20,000 border residents migrate to safety in J&K

Over 20,000 residents living in the border villages in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts migrated to safer places on September 30 after authorities declared areas close to the international border "out of bounds for all civilian movement".

State government officials said villagers left their homes to, moving away from Pakistan's shelling range since last night on September 29.

Pakistan stepped up firing across the LoC and the international border on Thursday night in what is seen as retaliation for the Indian surgical strikes in Pakistani territory that took out seven terrorist launch pads and killed an estimated 35-40 militants waiting to cross into Indian territory.

"Over 20,000 residents in the bordering villages of Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts have migrated from their homes till Friday morning," said provincial administration officials.

"These families were lodged in temporary accommodations including school buildings, community halls and religious places," an official said, adding that relatives living away from the border areas have also been shifted with their families. 

Educational institutions in these areas remained closed as a precautionary measure.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has deployed rescue and relief teams along with ambulances in the border areas, asking them to remain on high alert.

All civilian movement near the border areas have been prohibited, authorities said.

"Areas close to the international border have been declared as out of bound for civilian movement," officials said.

Hospitals have been put on high alert and doctors have been advised to remain on duty in 

Officials at the state health department said hospitals that did not have regular electricity supply were provided power generating units to ensure round-the-clock of delivery medical services during an emergency situation.