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Pak trying to open new front

Mehboob Khan in Pallanwalla

Desperate after its reverses in the Kargil sector, Pakistan now seems to be trying to open a new front against India in the Jammu region.

During the past two days, Pakistani troops have intensified mortar shelling in the Pallanwalla area, killing three persons and injuring several others. Dozens of cattle have also been killed.

The Indian forces are matching the artillery barrage and official sources say several Pakistani soldiers have been killed and their bunkers destroyed.

Already, villagers in Pallanwalla have migrated to safer places and only a few young people are staying back to look after their houses and cattle.

''Shells from across the border could kill us, but we will not leave the battlefront as we are not afraid of death,'' said a villager. ''We are living here for so many years. How can we allow the enemy to do anything here in our absence?'' said another person.

Earlier this week, about 50 militants and Pakistani soldiers tried to infiltrate into India under the cover of heavy firing on the Line of Control in Nowshera sector.

Alert Indian forces foiled the bid. A Pakistani Junior Commissioned Officer and two militants were shot dead in the encounter and the militants were forced to retreat to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

This was the second major infiltration bid foiled by Indian forces in the sector since the Kargil crisis began.

Incidentally, as the forces battled the Pakistanis in Nowshera, two Pakistani armymen were killed in an exchange of fire on the LoC in Jaurdian sector.

Pakistan also began heavy unprovoked shelling and firing in the Bhimber Gali area of Poonch district on the LoC on Tuesday. They however, got a taste of their own medicine when Indian troops killed about 30 Pakistani soldiers and injured several others in the return fire.

Defence sources said Pakistan is focussing on Pallanwalla since the area is very close to Akhnoor. ''An intrusion here could help the enemy make movement of Indian troops between Jammu and Rajouri difficult since the Akhnoor road can be targeted that's why they are desperately targeting the civilian positions in Pallanwalla and other villages of Akhnoor tehsil,'' an officer said.

Villagers today claimed that about 100 shells have fallen in Pallanwalla during the last 24 hours. Among the building damaged is that of the primary school.

Madan Singh, a villager, said the children were not attending school because of the summer vacation and since they had left the village for a safer place.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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