Four killed, 25 injured in Pakistani firing in Jammu

Four civilians were killed and 25 injured in shelling from the Pakistani side of the India-Pakistan border in Jammu district Monday, Police sources said.

Monday's major ceasefire violations by Pakistani rangers came on a day when Muslims in both India and Pakistan are celebrating the holy Eid-ul-Azha festival.

The police sources told IANS that Pakistan rangers resorted to indiscriminate firing on Indian positions in Arnia sub-sector of the international border in Jammu district during the night, causing death of four civilians and injuries 25 others.

"In one of their most serious ceasefire violations, Pakistan rangers resorted to indiscriminate firing on Indian positions in Arnia sub-sector of international border during the night," a senior police officer told IANS.

"They resorted to mortar shelling and automatic weapons firing in which four civilians have been killed and 25 others injured," the officer added.

"The injured people, most of them civilians, are being evacuated to hospital for treatment. Emergency relief teams have been rushed to the area."

Reports from the area said shelling from the Pakistani side has been so heavy that mortar shells have fallen inside the Arnia bus stand which is more than four km away from the international border.

Panic gripped the border villages in Arnia and other places close to the international border in the district.

According to a source, residents of many villages in Arnia have started migrating to safer places.

Officials of civil and police administration have rushed to ensure that damage to the civilian life and property is minimised.