Uneasy calm continues in Jammu

Despite the pause in ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops for the second consecutive day, an uneasy calm prevailed along the IB and LoC in Jammu on Friday as border villages remained empty and schools closed.

"For the second day today (Friday), there was no violation of ceasefire by Pakistan troops, either on the International Border or the Line of Control in Jammu region," the police here said.

Some male members did visit their empty homes and fields during the day, but the return of their families to a routine life remain illusive.

Schools in border villages vulnerable to Pakistan shelling also remained closed.

Authorities ordered 174 schools near the IB in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts to remain shut.

At least 400 schools along the IB and the LoC are reportedly affected in the Pakistan shelling of civilian areas.

The Indian Army said at least four border outposts of the Pakistan Army were decimated in retaliatory action in Rajouri and Poonch districts that followed targeting of the civilian areas by Pakistan in these districts.

The Border Security Force (BSF), that guards the IB, had said it almost completely destroyed 14 Pakistan border outposts on Wednesday.

BSF officials said these outposts were being used for shelling civilian areas by the Pakistan Rangers.

Villagers in R.S. Pura, Arnia, Suchetgarh, Akhnoor, Ramgarh and other sectors along the IB moved away from their homes following the indiscriminate targeting of their homes and agricultural fields.

The residents want peace so that they could return home and tend their cattle and reap their harvest-ready crop.

The BSF has dug defence ditches away from the IB and no civilian movement is allowed beyond them.

Villagers have demanded compensation for their livestocks killed in the shelling.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was stopped on Thursday from crossing the defence ditches and visiting Rangoor village close to the IB.

--IANS

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