Border residents in several villages near the Line ofControl in Uri woke up to loud bangs early Wednesday morning as shells fromacross the dividing line landed in the area, sparking fears of war among thepeople.
Villagers in Kamalkote, Churanda, Silkote, Basgra, Isham, Soura, Zamboor Pattan, Tillawari and several others scrambled for safety fearful of being hit.
Fareed Ahmad, a resident of Kamalkote village said thesituation turned extremely grim along the border at around 3:30am before dawn.
“The loud explosions continued for several hours. Malemembers somehow kept calm but women and children cried their hearts out,” Ahmadsaid.
Many of the border residents in the Uri area say they werefearful of the situation turning more dangerous.
“There should be an end to hostility between the twocountries otherwise our survival is at stake,” said Sajad Ahmad, also aresident of Kamalkote.
Police also said that at around 3 am Wedensday, Pakistanarmy started mortar shelling Kamalkote and Kaalgi areas of Uri sector,resulting in fear among the local population.
“Pakistan resorted to shelling in Kamalkote and Kaalgi areain the morning. The shelling continued for some time,” said Abdul Qayoom, theSSP of Baramulla.
Local administration officials later said that the situationin the area was normal.
However, agovernment-run girls higher secondary school inUri was kept ready to accommodate border residents in case evacuation ofcivilians from the frontier villages was required.
“We are ready in case of any eventuality. So far thesituation here is normal. In case of any adversity, we have kept ready ashelter house at main market Uri,” sub-district magistrate of Uri, Riyaz Ahmadsaid.