NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar
Pakistani troops on Monday night shelled two villages -- Vidhipur and Abdullian -- in the R S Pora sector of Jammu region killing two persons, including a soldier.
The heaviest shelling in past four days comes ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Jammu on Tuesday.
Vajpayee during his stay in Jammu will visit the military hospital to meet those injured in the last week's fidayeen attack on Kalu Chak army camp, which left 33 persons dead.
He will be briefed by the senior army and state police officers about the prevailing situation along the international border and the Line of Control.
"This is the heaviest shelling so far in past four days," a state police officer said. He said the Pakistani shelling forced large-scale migration of villagers from Vidhipur and Abdullian.
Pakistani troops also resorted to heavy firing and shelling in the Samba and Ramgrah sectors along the international border.
The Indian army shelled Pakistani positions in retaliation.
The state chief secretary I S Malhi said 15,000 persons have migrated from Hiranagar, Samba, Akhnoor, Nowshehra, Poonch, Uri and Tanghdar villages along the international border and the LoC in past four days.
He said the state government has sanctioned an immediate relief of Rs 50 million to provide ration, kerosene oil, free medical aid, drinking water, electricity and cash allowance to the people of border areas affected by heavy mortar and artillery shelling.
Related Reports: War with Pak unlikely before September India has minimum nuclear deterrence: DAE Change strategy to deal with proxy war: Advani Benazir blames Musharraf for tensions Pakistan may move UN SC
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
