Parrikar urges people of J-K to work towards development

In the wake of civilians being killed in the cross border firing, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain peace and contribute towards the development of the nation.

"I appeal to the peace loving people in Jammu and Kashmir to contribute to the nation's development. Education of young minds is the most important thing, I appeal people setting schools on fire to rather contribute to nation's development," said Parrikar.

In the worst kind of civilian deaths during the ceasefire violations, the firing and shelling by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) killed eight persons, including two children and four women and injured 22, in the Jammu region in the last few days.

The BSF on Tuesday targeted around 14 Pakistan posts along the International Border (IB) in response to the unprovoked firing and shelling of Pakistan Rangers in Ramgarh and Arnia Sectors.

Earlier, a 19 year old girl was killed and three civilians were injured after the Pakistan troops violated the ceasefire in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani forces started unprovoked shelling targeting posts as well as civilian areas in Ramgarh and Arnia areas at around 6 a.m.

On Monday, an army soldier and a woman were killed as the Pakistani troops resorted to heavy mortar shelling along the LoC in Rajouri and Mendhar sectors.

Nearly half a dozen people and four BSF soldiers have been killed so far and over 30 others injured in the recent skirmishes along the international border.

Jammu district magistrate earlier this week ordered shutting down of all 174 schools along the International border and Line of Control in Jammu.

45 border schools have also been closed down in Samba in Jammu and Kashmir.