Evacuation of villagers continues in Nowshera post ceasefire violation

Nowshera (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 13 (ANI): The evacuation of villagers in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowshera region continues, with thousands of people being relocated to safer places after the heavy area came under mortar shelling from across the border. The Jammu and Kashmir government has set up make shift tent camps and arranged food for the dislocated. "We don't want anything. We don't want to go anywhere, don't want to go back to our place. We just request the government to shoot us," said a resident in Nowshera. The Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said earlier that the government has established four relief camps and another 26 are being identified in case people are evacuated from the region. "Four relief camps have been established and 26 others are being identified in case more evacuation is needed. We have 30 relief camps and have provided them with all facilities. Around 100 officers are on duty," Choudhary told ANI. Choudhary said around 20-25 villages are affected, out of which heavy shelling has been reported in Nowshera. He also added that two people have been killed and three others are injured, one whose condition is critical has been referred to Jammu for further treatment. "Right now the kin of the deceased are being compensated with Rs. one lakh. Later on, as per norms, we will provide them with the remaining amount," he said. He said that it is a bit challenging to evacuate people from the region in the middle of heavy shelling, but, they would try to evacuate everyone till the evening. Earlier in the day, two civilians were killed in a ceasefire violation in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops gave a befitting reply. "Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0715 hours along the Line of Control (LC) in the Nowshera Sector," said an official statement from the army. The Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively and the firing is presently on. Following the ceasefire violations, all schools in Nowshera, Qila Darhal and Manjakote have been closed indefinitely. (ANI)