 "India-Pakistan tensions: Thousands along LoC evacuated to bunkers as Pak shelling hits civilian areas")
Indian authorities on Friday (May 9) evacuated thousands of people living near the Line of Control in the border districts of Kashmir.
The action came on the heels of heavy shelling by Pakistani troops in these areas.
Evacuations in Baramulla, Kupwara & Bandipora
The evacuation efforts were concentrated in the districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora, where residents were moved to bunkers or other safe locations, PTI reported citing officials.
The majority of the evacuations have taken place in Kupwara district’s Karnah and Machhil sectors, followed by the Uri sector in Baramulla district and some areas in Bandipora district.
The need for evacuation arose after Pakistan began shelling of civilian areas along the LoC , in retaliation to missile strikes by Indian armed forces aimed at terror infrastructure in the neighbouring country.
Shelling destroys lives, damages livelihoods
The shelling, which started on May 7, has led to the death of one woman and injuries to 18 others.
In addition to the human toll, the bombardment by Pakistan has caused significant damage to property. More than 100 houses, over two dozen commercial buildings, and a dozen government buildings have been affected, officials reported.
India-Pakistan tensions
Tensions between India and Pakistan have risen sharply in recent weeks, with escalations that have been called the most serious confrontations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in over two decades.
Following Operation Sindoor, where India targeted nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, cross-border hostilities intensified.
Heavy shelling has been reported along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan also launched drone attacks targeting military installations in Bathinda (Punjab) and multiple locations in Rajasthan, including Barmer, Pokhran, Jaisalmer, and Phalodi.
In the exchanges on Thursday (May 8), India neutralised Lahore’s air defence system in a major operational success. Indian air defences have also taken down all missiles launched by Pakistan to target Indian territories.
With inputs from PTI
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