Pakistan Rangers on Friday resorted to unprovoked shelling across the International border, targeting civilian areas in Hiranagar of Kathua district of Jammu, officials said.
“They used mortar shells and heavy machine gun fire to target the residential area in Chhan Tanda village during the wee hours,” said an official, adding that there was no report of any loss of life.
The District Magistrate, Kathua, OP Bhagat said the shelling has hit the residential houses. “The Pakistani Rangers opened fire without any provocation and targeted the civilian areas,” he said.
Locals said that they were sleeping when the firing started. “It was a scary moment when bullets and splinters hit their houses,” said a resident.
Meanwhile, the BSF said that they are on high alert in view of August 15. The patrolling has been intensified along the border and local police are also coordinating with them, said an official.
The highways and border areas have been kept on high alert across Jammu division day ahead of I-Day celebrations to foil any untoward incidents.
Besides, the Border Security Force is also patrolling the Chenab river in Akhnoor on motorboats.
The IGP Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh has directed the police officers to step-up security in their respective districts. “All the nakas deployed on border roads, NH-44 and other interior highways be put on high alert round the clock,” directed the IGP Jammu Zone.