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Bunkers - new homes for border dwellers against Pak shelling

Barely a week after heavy mortar shelling killed five people and injured nine, residents of the twin border hamlets of Beega and Khorotana near the international border have set up 'new bunker homes' to save themselves from Pakistani firing, which is now a regular feature.

As many as 17 bunkers have been constructed by the people of the twin villages with the help of the army.

Like Beega hamlet, over 70 hamlets along the border in Jammu and Kathua districts are witnessing hectic construction work on underground bunkers (UGBs) under 'Operation Marmalade', a pre-war exercise launched by the army for the defence of border villagers from Pak shelling, a senior army officer in R S Pura said.

Each village will have to construct 10 to 15 bunkers to house the entire population during nights in particular and the day in general when Pakistani guns rain shells and open indiscriminate fire on the border hamlets, the officer said.

With temperature soaring to 45 degrees, people, particularly the youth, assisted by army personnel were seen digging, carrying wooden logs and earth to construct the bunkers in their compounds.

"These are our new homes," said Mohammad Hussain Gujjar, a milkman, who lost some of relatives in Saturday night's shelling at Beega village.

"These will save us from Pakistani shelling," said Beega village resident Bimla Devi, who narrowly escaped Saturday's shelling but lost two cattle heads.

Although most of the women and children living in border hamlets have migrated and taken refugee in government buildings at safer places, male members, particularly the youth, have stayed back to help the army.

"We can help the army in time in pre-war preparations and also during the war as border dwellers are well versed with the topography, routes and sensitive areas not only on our side but also on the Pakistani side," some residents said.

PTI

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