J&K: 10 killed in shelling by Pakistan troops; border dwellers asked to move to safer areas

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has been reeling under cross-border firing tensions since the last few days.

As many as 10 persons, including six civilians and four jawans, were killed and nearly 50 including some jawans were injured in separate incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops.

A 'red alert' was declared by the state police and border dwellers were asked to move to safer areas.

"The administration has sounded a red alert across the area (Jammu region) and asked people to move out", the Jammu and Kashmir Police said in an advisory.

It further said, "villages on the border area of Jammu province are dark and deserted. The area is being continuously shelled. The people fled to safety".

The health department has made arrangements to deal with the situation. Adequate doctors (specialists), paramedics, life-saving drugs and equipment have been kept available round the clock in hospitals, Minister Bali Bhagat said.

"In addition, 197 Ambulances, including critical care ambulance have been deployed to meet the situation," Bhagat said.

Five border district of Jammu - Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch are affected due to the violations of the ceasefire.

In the wake of increased tension due to the shelling, over 300 educational institutes along the International Border and LoC have been shut down for the next three days by the administration.

However, there were no reports of shelling after 5 pm on Saturday.

Following the cross-border firing yesterday, the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah was summoned by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He was conveyed government's grave concerns at the continued ceasefire violations and deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by Pakistan forces.