The Indian army was retaliating at all the places, sources added. (Representational Image) The Indian army was retaliating at all the places, sources added. (Representational Image)

At least five jawans were injured in heavy shelling by Pakistan across the Line of Control in Akhnoor Sector of Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday. Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling at forward Indian posts in Nowshera and Mendhar areas.

Pointing out that the shelling was heavy, sources said that it restarted after a brief lull of less than 12 hours as earlier the Pakistani troops had resorted to unprovoked small arms fire and mortar shelling in Poonch’s Gulpur area from 12 midnight to 1.30 am Tuesday. While in adjoining Rajouri district’s Nowshera sector, Pakistani troops have been resorting to mortar shelling and small arms fire for past many days, the ceasefire violation in Akhnoor sector came after nearly three months.

According to a Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt Colonel Devender Anand, cross border shelling and small arms fire was going on in Jammu district’s Akhnoor sector, besides Nowshera in Rajouri and Mendhar in Poonch district. The Indian Army was retaliating strongly and effectively.

Meanwhile, in view of the situation along the LoC, the administration has ordered the closure of all the government and private schools falling within 5 km area from the border in Poonch and Rajouri districts. The exams of class 5, 6 and 7th scheduled for Wednesday have also been canceled, sources said, adding that fresh dates for them will be notified later.

The Rajouri district administration has already identified 30 places for shifting people from border villages in the Nowshera sector in the event of escalation on the borders.

Meanwhile, Governor Satya Pal Malik reviewed the prevailing law and order situation in the state following the Operation conducted by the Indian Air Force against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp in Balakot and directed all the forces to take effective measures to maintain public order and peace across the state. Complimenting people of the state for remaining composed and not getting unnecessarily alarmed, Governor directed the security forces to take all possible steps to ensure that civilians remain safe in case of any eventuality. He also appealed to the people not to listen or believe rumours being circulated in social media or through other means.

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