Don't venture out after dark: Jammu villagers advised

With the Pakistan Rangers continuing to violate a bilateral ceasefire, villagers in Jammu's R.S. Pura and Arnia areas were Thursday advised not to venture out of their homes after dark.

A senior official told IANS here that people living in villages close to the international border in R.S. Pura and Arnia sectors have been advised by the security forces not to venture out of their homes after dark.

"These are precautionary measures needed to be taken to ensure safety of civilian life and property.

"Villagers in these areas have been advised to confine themselves to their homes and also switch off their lights to avoid any possible damage from Pakistan firing in these areas," the official said.

Due to frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army and paramilitary Rangers, lives of thousands of villagers living close to the borders have been adversely affected in Jammu and Kashmir.

In Hamirpur sector of Rajouri district, a mosque and two local houses were damaged Wednesday in unprovoked firing by Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC).

Earlier this week, a civilian was injured and some houses were damaged in firing by Pakistan Rangers in R.S. Pura sector of Jammu district.

Intelligence agencies fear after India's snub to foreign secretary level talks between the two countries, infiltration attempts from across the borders in the state could be sped up.