Gunshot sounds late on Friday night pierced a long-prevailing peace at the border areas in the Rajouri district, triggering panic and fear among the residents while equally raising security concerns in the region.
According to official sources, gunshots were heard at forward locations of the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri area, with heavy machine guns roaring in the late evening hours. The firing continued for hours, locals said.
As per sources, forward locations on the LoC are engaged in heavy firing, and border areas continue to remain in fear and panic as a result of the fire exchanges. The Line of Control between India and Pakistan along Jammu and Kashmir has remained peaceful over the past few years. Except for small skirmishes, nothing major had happened between the forces of both sides.
While it was learnt that firing was taking place, there was no confirmation about why it took place. However, sources later claimed that fire was opened after forces stationed at the hinterland post picked up some suspicious movement in the area.
Besides, security forces have been put on high alert in the hinterland areas due to fresh firing on the LoC, as these are viewed as diversion tactics used by Pakistani forces during infiltration bids. A search operation was launched on Saturday morning to ascertain the presence of any infiltrators, while the area remains under heightened surveillance, the officials said.
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