SIALKOT - A civilian sustained critical injuries as India on Thursday again resorted to unprovoked heavy mortar shelling on Sialkot border villages in Zafarwal-Shakargarh sectors along the Working Boundary.
It was the first major ceasefire violation by Indian BSF along Sialkot Working Boundary after September 23 mortar shelling on Sialkot border villages along the Working Boundary after a 40 day-long silence there.
According to senior officials of the Punjab Rangers, the Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) yesterday resorted to heavy mortar shelling on Sialkot border villages in Zafarwal-Shakargarh sectors.
The officials said that Indian forces fired small and heavy mortar shells targeting the civilian population, besides creating panic and harassment among the locals.
The officials said that Rangers responded instantly and effectively making the Indian guns silent.
Indian forces targeted civilian population in Sukmaal, Beeka Chak, Bhopaalpur, Chak Nehaala, Salaayi, Tughalpur, Agor, Poora Chak and dozens of surrounding villages at about 11:45 am and the shelling continued till 03:00 pm.
A civilian Sabir Ali, 45, was injured seriously when one of the mortar shells fired by the BSF hit his house in village Tughalpur. He was admitted to Sialkot Combined Military Hospital(CMH) in critical condition. Several mortar shells fired by the BSF also landed in a local govt boys school in village Tughalpur damaging the school building. As it was a local holiday due to Urs of religious scholar, so no student was present at the school and there was no loss of life, officials added. The several houses were badly damaged by the Indian shelling on Silakot border villages. Some pet animals were also reportedly injured and killed. The district administration has declared emergency in the villages hit by Indian shelling, besides moving forward the ambulances and rescue vehicles for the help to the affectees and their shifting to safer places as well.
Meanwhile, the local population has started moving towards the safer places in and around the Sialkot city due to mortar shelling.
