A woman was killed and five others were injured after shells exploded at Arnia bus stand. (File photo)
After a night of heavy shelling by Pakistani forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Arnia sector, all schools within five-kilometre area along the international border (IB) have remained closed. This is the fifth ceasefire violation by Pakistan in as many days. There has been panic in the area ever since light to heavy firing began four days ago.
Last night, firing began after 9 pm and stopped only in the morning, officials say. "There has been heavy exchange of fire and shelling in Arnia sector," a senior Border Security Force (BSF) officer said.
A woman was killed and five others were injured after about 10 to 12 shells exploded at the Arnia bus stand on Saturday. The injured were admitted to Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital, where Ratno Devi died, police said.
Dozens of livestock were killed and many houses damaged in the shelling here, an officer added.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh yesterday termed the firing and shelling by Pakistan as human rights violation.
He said that India has been "befittingly responding" to Pakistan and "everything needed will be done to protect the lives and properties of people living close to the international border".
The minister, who is also a lawmaker from the state, said that 4,000 community bunkers and 20,000 individual bunkers will be built as shelling proof shelters for people living along the international border.
32-year-old
BSF trooper Bijender Bahadur was killed on Friday and a day before, a woman was injured in firing along the LoC in Noushera sector of Rajouri district. On Wednesday, Pakistan Rangers fired mortars on Brahman Bella and Raipur Border outposts (BoPs) in which a BSF jawan was injured.
In another ceasefire violation on September 13, the Pakistan Army shelled Indian posts along the Line of Control in Mankote, Sabjian and Digwar forward areas in Poonch. Two BSF jawans and three civilians suffered injuries in the heavy exchange of fire.
(With inputs from agencies)