Another civilian killed in border shelling, toll reaches 12

Tensions further escalated along the border in Jammu and Kashmir as a civilian was killed and three others were injured in fresh ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Kanachak sector of Jammu district on Sunday night, officials said on Monday.

On Monday, a policeman and civilian were injured in two separate grenade attacks in Kashmir.

A police official said the militants attacked a police station in old town Baramulla with a grenade at around 6:40 pm resulting in injuries to a sentry. In retaliation, cops fired several aerial rounds.
 
Earlier in the day, militants lobbed a grenade at an army vehicle in Pampore area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, which missed the intended target and blasted on the road. A civilian was injured in the attack, reports said.

Toll rises to 12

With Sunday's killing, the death toll from the cross border firing on the IB and Line of Control (LoC) has risen to 12 in the last five days.

"Pakistan rangers started heavy shelling and firing in Kanachak and Pargwal areas of RS Pura sector from 8.30 pm Sunday. A civilian identified as Gopal Dass was injured in Kanachak. He later succumbed to injuries. Three more civilians, including a woman, were injured in RS Pura and Arnia sectors where Pakistan Rangers started indiscriminate shelling and firing," they said.

Reports said several mortar shells landed inside the villages in Kanachak and Pargwal sectors, causing extensive damage to houses and other structures, besides killing and wounding the cattle. Thousands of people fled their homes and took shelter in rehabilitation camps or with their relatives.

Reports said farming, schooling, cattle rearing and everything else on which border dwellers survive have come to a halt due to the shelling. Over 300 educational institutions have been closed for the next three days along the IB and LoC in Jammu region.