Schools along the LoC closed indefinitely as Pakistan targets schools

Pakistan violating ceasefire and attacking the Indian posts along the border has become a regular affair. But Pakistan stooped to a new low when its army targeted school children in at least three schools along the Line of control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district on July 19^th. The Pakistan army also attacked the Indian posts and forward villages along the border in neighbouring Poonch which forced India to strike back in equal measure. Yougal Manhas, the Rajouri Senior Superintendent of Police, informed that around 200 children had to be exiled to safety in bulletproof vehicles in Nowshera. The senior SP told that the shelling was continuing even at 5.45 in the evening. He said that 11 children from a school and 50 from another school were rescued. The children from the third school had to be kept inside because of severe shelling. All these incidents happened in Bhawani area of Nowshera sector. Serious shelling has also been reported in Bhawani, Sair and Kadali villages of Nowshera sector. According to the police there were 11 students trapped inside a middle school and almost 50 in a high school in Sair. Nearly 150 students were stuck in a high school in Bhawani and they were rescued later. Pakistani army had violated the ceasefire on Monday, 17^th July in Balakote and Poonch sectors killing a minor girl and soldier and injuring four others. It had violated the ceasefire in Manjakote sector too. Villagers to the tune of 4500-5000 have been affected due to such violations in villages of Panjgrain, Rajdhani and Naika in Rajouri district. 16 schools close to the Line of Control have been shut indefinitely and civilian population has been asked to migrate to safer place by the district administration. Five relief camps have been started where 840 families comprising around 3500 villagers are residing. Field officers have been appointed to coordinate and people staying near the LoC have been asked to stay indoors. According to senior police officials more than 5000 people have been badly affected by the firing from the Pakistani side.