Pak shelling changing daily way of life in villages across LoC

Jammu(J-K)[India], Nov. 3 : The daily life in Manjakote village has been severely affected as two women were killed and a child was severely injured on Wednesday after Pakistan troops violated ceasefire which targeted Indian posts and border villages in India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state casts fear among the residents.

The women were killed in heavy firing and mortar shelling in Manjakote Sector of Rajouri district. "Two women have been killed in Manjakote. I would say that from Poonch to Jammu continuous firing is going on from Pakistan side and has resulted in several casualties and also huge damage to property," said Shabbir Khan, former state health minister.

A 14-month -old child was injured in cross-border firing in Jammu. Doctor Tariq Azad, General surgeon, Jammu Hospital said the child was hit by shells in the stomach and was operated upon.

"She was hit by shells in stomach and suffered holes in three spots in the intestine which we now have operated.

We had to remove a portion of her intestine so that her healing could be possible," said Dr. Tariq Azad. Pakistan has been targeting army posts and civilian areas, escalating the tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Tensions have escalated sharply since India announced on September 29 its special forces had carried out a surgical strike against militants camping in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and inflicted significant casualties.

Pakistan denied such a strike had taken place but vowed to retaliate against any Indian aggression. The raid by Indian military was a direct response to a militant attack on an army camp in Uri that killed 19 soldiers, the deadliest toll in nearly two decades.

India said the attackers had come from Pakistan but Islamabad demanded credible proof. People of Niaka, village which came under the fire, are living under the shadow of heavy shelling has severely disrupted daily life of locals in villages around the border.

People have been asked to stay indoors as shelling continues. The mortar affected the residential areas along the Line of control as it damaged the houses and killed animals for past many days.

Authorities in Indian Kashmir have already evacuated hundreds of people from villages along the frontier with Pakistan following frequent ceasefire violations.

Incidence of border skirmishes between the arch rivals has also increased since New Delhi's military raid.

Source: ANI