Srinagar An Indian army soldier, hailing from Tral area of Kashmir and a five year old child were killed as hostile armies stationed along the dividing Line of Control traded heavy fire forcing migration of people living in the frontier areas while authorities announced closure of at least 16 schools.
The intense shelling of Indian posts and villages in Rajouri and Poonch districts also left a soldier and woman battling for life as the director generals of military operations (DGMOs) of the two countries spoke over the phone.
The Indian Army reserved the right to retaliate as all ceasefire violations were initiated by Pakistan, Lt Gen AK Bhat told his Pakistani counterpart.
Officials said that the Pakistani army troops targeted Indian posts at 7:30 am Manjkote sector of Rajouri Monday. In the firing and shelling, one army soldier, 37 year old Naik Mudasir Ahmad Rathar, a resident of Buchoo village of Tral in Pulwama district was killed.
Also Read Family Mourns Death Of Tral Jawan
Another soldier, also hailing from Kashmir, was injured along with two civilians. The soldier has been identified as Naik Firdous Ahmad a resident of Kulgam.
All the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment. The officials said that the Indian army retaliated effectively to the Pakistani fire. The slain Kashmiri soldier is survived by his wife and two children. A pall of gloom descended upon his village Buchoo when news about his killing reached there.
A five-year-old child, identified as Syeda, was killed after a shell hit her house in Behroti area of Balakote sector of Poonch district.
A woman was seriously injured in Manjkote sector of Rajouri.
An official from district Rajouri said that heavy mortal shelling was reported in forward areas of Tehsil Manjakote in Rajouri at 830Hrs. A population of 4500-5000 in villages of Panjgrain, Rajdhani and Naika among others was affected. Two civilians were injured during shelling. One seriously injured Shah Begum W/O Mohd Sharief R/O Panjgrain was admitted in district hospital while other injured Sharief Ahmed was given first aid.
District Administration ordered closure of all schools early morning however 120 students were held up in Govt School at Panjgrain and on report of headmaster senior officers coordinated for their safe evacuation as shelling was reported of have affected nearby area.
District Magistrate, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary accompanied by SSP Yougal Manhas, ACD Noor Alam, AC Defence Abdul Qayoom, CEO Lal Hussain and other senior officers rushed to forward areas to oversee arrangements for likely evacuation and emergency response. They also held meeting with locals at Panjgrain and briefed about preparedness. The DM briefed the locals about necessary arrangements kept in place for establishment of camps in case of any likely evacuation, provision of ration supply in affected villages, essential services and coordination for rescue. First aid medicines, tents, ration and other requisite items have been rushed as reserve.
The schools closed for an indefinite period include Primary Schools Sharmabasti, Korapani, Nangal, Tadyalla, Chakwa, Trutta Dhara, Mahal Rajdhani, Kalvatra Mohalla, Lal Beig, Rependi, Kotedhar, Chakli; Middle Schools Naika, Kundinakkar, Paryali, Lambibari and High Schools Khorinar and Dhar. An order for closure of schools was issued by the Deputy Commissioner soon after reports of heavy shelling in Manjakote. SDPO Manjakote Imtiaz Ahmed coordinate rescue at LoC while Tehsildar Mehmood Ahmed coordinated arrangements in villages as well as for camps. AC Defence and Tehsildar Manjakote have been deputed as nodal officers for emergency response and providing required relief.
District Administration sounded alert and advised the residents to stay indoors and field officers have been deputed for coordination. HS Ghambir Brahmna, HSS Kakora, HSS Manjakote, Panchayat Ghar and other locations have been notified as camps for likely evacuation. Four ambulances were rushed to Ghambir, Panjgrain and Manjakote. DC and senior officers also visited CHC Manjakote and proposed relief camps. Two ambulances were stationed in Ghambir Brahmna.
Meanwhile, India and Pakistan armies also exchanged fire and shells along the LoC in Kamalkote sector of Uri in Baramulla district. One soldier was reported injured from this side but there was no official confirmation.
Pertinently, four Pakistani Army soldiers were drowned after their vehicle came under attack from Indian soldiers in Neelum Valley of Pakistan administered Kashmir.
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