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Sixteen schools were closed in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday after heavy mortar shelling from across the border.
“District Administration ordered closure of all schools early morning. However, 120 students were held up in Govt School at Panjgrain and on report of headmaster senior officers coordinated for their safe evacuation as shelling had reportedly affected the nearby area,” said a statement, issued by the District administration.
The armies of India and Pakistan have been exchanging heavy fire and shelling since early morning in twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
A soldier and a minor girl have been killed in Balakote sector of Poonch while a woman was seriously injured in Manjkote area.
“One seriously injured Shah Begum W/O Mohd Sharief R/O Panjgrain was admitted in district hospital while other injured Sharief Ahmed was given first aid,” said the statement.
District Magistrate, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary accompanied by SSP Yougal Manhas, ACD Noor Alam, AC Defence Abdul Qayoom, CEO Lal Hussain and other senior officers rushed to forward areas to oversee arrangements for likely evacuation and emergency response.
“They also held meeting with locals at Panjgrain and briefed about preparedness. The DM briefed the locals about necessary arrangements kept in place for establishment of camps in case of any likely evacuation, provision of ration supply in affected villages, essential services and coordination for rescue. First aid medicines, tents, ration and other requisite items have been rushed as reserve,” said the statement.
The schools closed for an indefinite period include Primary Schools Sharmabasti, Korapani, Nangal, Tadyalla, Chakwa, Trutta Dhara, Mahal Rajdhani, Kalvatra Mohalla, Lal Beig, Rependi, Kotedhar, Chakli; Middle Schools Naika, Kundinakkar, Paryali, Lambibari and High Schools Khorinar and Dhar.
An order for closure of schools was issued by the Deputy Commissioner soon after reports of heavy shelling in Manjakote.
SDPO Manjakote Imtiaz Ahmed coordinated the rescue at LoC while Tehsildar Mehmood Ahmed coordinated arrangements in villages as well as for camps. AC Defence and Tehsildar Manjakote have been deputed as nodal officers for emergency response and providing required relief.
District Administration sounded alert and advised the residents to stay indoors and field officers have been deputed for coordination. HS Ghambir Brahmna, HSS Kakora, HSS Manjakote, Panchayat Ghar and other locations have been notified as camps for likely evacuation. Four ambulances were rushed to Ghambir, Panjgrain and Manjakote. DC and senior officers also visited CHC Manjakote and proposed relief camps. Two ambulances were stationed in Ghambir Brahmna.
Meanwhile joint teams of Health, Revenue, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Agriculture and other departments have also been deputed for loss assessment, damage report and providing required assistance.
