At least 500 civilians were shifted to safer places from near the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla and Kupwara of north Kashmir, where intermittent firing and shelling by Pakistani troops continued for the fourth day on Friday.
“Because of the firing and shelling in Uri from across the border, 500 people have shifted to safer areas,” Director-General of Police S.P. Vaid said.
The District Commissioners and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, were on the spot to look after the displaced residents.
Tension has flared on the LoC in the Pir Panchal Valley since January 14, and it has now spread to the Kashmir Valley.
Three persons were injured and as many houses damaged in Uri since Wednesday. Tilawari, Churunda and Silikote bore the brunt of Pakistani shelling and firing.
In Kupwara, the Army engaged a group of the Border Action Team (BAT), composed of militants, when it tried to attack a forward post in the Tangdhar Sector on Friday. “The gunfight started when soldiers spotted the militants and challenged them. It continued for an hour,” the Army’s 28 Division said.
The militants were supported by heavy shelling with mortars and other weapons from multiple posts. However, the attack was repulsed, the Army said.
