Border dwellers return home as guns fall silent

As guns fell silent after India and Pakistan yesterday agreed to halt the exchanges, over 1,500 villagers returned to their homes along the International Border (IB) today after they had fled due to shelling and firing by Pakistani troops.
"Over 1,200 people of border hamlets today returned to their homes as there was no firing from across the border overnight," a senior police officer said.
Along with these 1,200 people who were putting up in safe shelters at five different places after fleeing IB hamlets in the wake of heavy shelling and firing, over 300 other border residents who were living with their relatives also came back to their homes along the IB today.

Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing on the border outposts and hamlets in Samba, Ramgarh, Hiranagar and Kathua sectors since October 23.
One civilian was killed and 2 injured in Pakistan firing along the IB at Manguchak belt of Samba Friday last.
It was followed by daily firing and shelling by Pakistani troops on October 24, 25 and 26 but there was nothing last night, officials said.

Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Prakash Ganga condemned the frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan and expressed grief over the killing of livestock and damage to the houses.
He said the ceasefire violations have adversely affected the lives of the people living in border areas and this needs to be stopped forthwith.

The Minister said the people were told to move to safer places in the night as Pakistani troops were targeting civilian areas and directions issued to the officers to make necessary arrangements to evacuate them.
Ganga visited the villages of Ramgarh sector hit by cross-border firing on the IB and distributed relief material among those who suffered damages.
The Minister conducted extensive tour to have first-hand appraisal of the ground situation of various border villages in Ramgarh sector including Pakhri, Keso, Govindgarh, Nanga and Nathwal.