Pakistan firing along border in J&K; migration on

After a day-long lull, Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire again by targeting border posts in Kathua and Samba sectors, drawing retaliation from BSF.

"Pakistani Rangers resorted to ceasefire violation and opened small arms firing in one post in Samba district and two areas in Kathua district late last night," officials said told PTI.

There was firing on Bobiyan and Pansar forward areas along international border in Kathua district since last night, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said adding it was going on intermittently.

In Samba district, there were two rounds of small arms firing on Ballard post in Ramgarh sub-sector last night, SSP, Samba, Anil Magotra said, adding that by and large there was calm along IB in Samba.

BSF troops retaliated to Pakistani firing, they said. There was no loss of life or injury to anyone.

However, residents of border villages continue to leave for safer areas in view of the latest round of ceasefire violations by Pakistan since New Year eve.

There was no firing by Pakistan Rangers from night of January 3 till January 4 evening.

Over 3,500 people have migrated from border villages in Samba and Kathua districts.

Around 2,500 people have migrated from 11 villages in Kathua after shelling from across international border. 1800 people are in relief camps.

Administration has provided bedding, tarpaulin, blankets, ration, lentils, firewood, drinking water and other basic items at these relief camps, Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said.

Camp commanders and camp officers have been appointed for overseeing arrangements and provision of relief.

Committees of camp inhabitants have also been constituted for coordination. Rs 5000 each were given to the families of 5 persons injured during firing yesterday, he said.

In Samba district, over 1000 people have been put in shelter camps in Chichi Mata temple, high school and other buildings.

On January 3, two army jawans and a woman were killed while 11 people were injured in the firing.

On New Year eve, Pakistani firing had left two persons dead, including a BSF jawan, and nine injured while five Pakistani Rangers were killed in retaliatory firing by India.