JAMMU: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday visited areas hit by Pakistan shelling in Balakote and met victims of ceasefire violation.

The Congress vice-president, who began his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, spoke to the families of six civilians including a headman and a teacher who were killed in ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Balakote on Independence day.

"I have come all the way here to share your pain and grief of losing your near ones," Rahul told Azim, whose brother Amin was killed and another sibling Ramiz injured in the shelling.

The Congress Vice President, who was accompanied by party leader Ambika Soni and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Gulam Ahmed Mir, interacted with family of 52-year-old sarpanch Karamat Hussain, who was killed in the firing, and assured them of all possible help.

"People here are very scared and worried," Rahul Gandhi told reporters in Balakote.

"People here want bunkers, insurance for themselves and their animals," the Congress VP added.

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Later in the day, he will visit the other areas that have been affected by the continuous ceasefire violations.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) earlier slammed Rahul's J&K visit saying he was trying to 'politicize' the border issues.

The Congress party had earlier attacked the Centre and the PDP-BJP coalition in the state for rise in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the border areas, saying the government has 'failed' to control these incidents.

(With inputs from agencies)