28 killed, 167 injured in Pakistan firing along J-K border this year

Srinagar: As many as 28 people were killed and 167 were wounded in various instances of firing and shelling from across the border in J-K this year, putting the sum total of such ceasefire violations to 203.

Cross border firing instances have also left 194 houses damaged and 70 livestocks dead while injuring an additional 125.

Briefing the State Council on Saturday, Home Minister Abdur Rehman Veeri said that 419 ceasefire violations have taken place in the last two years and that ex-gratia compensation has been paid as per the existing norms. The claimants were paid a sum of Rs. 100,000 in each case of death, while those with permanent disability and injuries were provided Rs 75,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.

He added that an adequate compensation for damages to immoveable property have also been paid by the state government. Each individual can avail up to 50 per cent of the assessed value of the damaged property, subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs 100,000.

Mr. Veeri was replying to queries from lawmakers Romesh Arora, Dr. Shahnaz Ganai and Vikramaditya Singh and said that in the event of border firing and shelling at both International Border and Line of Control, the affected civilians are shifted to safer locations in temporary camps. Civic amenities like food, medicines, blankets, sanitary utilities and free transport are also being provided besides ex-gratia to the affected families, he added.

Fully equipped ambulances with first aid material and medical staff are also deployed in border areas, which are at the disposal of police and security agencies. A proposal regarding construction of community bunkers at various places along the borders has alos been forwarded to Union Home Ministry for consideration, the Minister said.