Pakistan resorts to shelling on Diwali night, bordering areas in Jammu remain tense

Authorities have set up temporary accommodation for border residents in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts

Pakistan Rangers resorted to shelling and firing on the International Border (IB) in RS Pura, Suchetgarh and Hira Nagar sectors of Jammu and Kashmir on the night of October 30, officials said on Monday.

When the entire country was celebrating Diwali- the festival of lights, Pakistan Rangers resorted to shelling and firing at civilian and defence facilities in three sectors of the IB in the Jammu region, police said.

"Pakistan troops fired mortars and used automatic weapons to target civilian and Border Security Force (BSF) facilities in R.S.Pura, Suchetgarh and Hira Nagar sectors during the night," said a police official adding that there was retaliatory attack launched by BSF.

"Firing exchanges stopped around midnight", the police said further.

Residents in bordering villages celebrated a subdued Diwali, away from home. Pakistan troops have been allegedly targeting homes, cattle and crops near the IB.

Authorities have set up temporary accommodation at various educational institutions, goevernment department buildings and community halls for hundreds of border residents in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.