Rajouri, July 18: In a major rescue operation launched by the District Administration and Police 217 students and around 15 teachers were rescued from three schools in the wake of heavy mortar shelling along LoC in Nowshera sub-division of district Rajouri.
The students of three schools were trapped for more than 6 hours amid heavy shelling in the area. In Middle School Kaladi 12 trapped students were evacuated. After hectic efforts in a prolonged rescue operation 150 students held up at Govt High School Bhawani were shifted to Nowshera. Likewise 55 students and teachers of Govt High School Sair were rescued amid heavy shelling. Sair school was badly damaged due to shelling.
A team of district administration lead by Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary along with SSP Yougal Manhas, Additional SP Atul and SDM Harbans Lal rushed to Bhawani and launched the rescue operation in which more than 250 people mostly students were rescued. The team of officers came under heavy shelling in Bahwani and had a narrow escape as shells landed few meters away from the school. Likewise 55 students and teachers had a narrow escape as the building came under direct hit of shells damaging its larger portion while classroom remained unaffected.
Following heavy shelling in the area, all schools in Nowshera and Manjakote sector have been closed till further orders.
More than 150 students have been shifted to camps while other students were handed over to parents.
Forward villages including Kalsian, Sair, Bahwani, Namb and Jhangar came under heavy shelling in interior inhabited area. District administration deputed a number of teams for rescue.
Five bullet proof vehicles and three buses were deputed for rescue.
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