200 schoolkids evacuated in bullet-proof vehicles after Pakistan firing on LoC

Children in at least three schools along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district were trapped on Tuesday as the Pakistan army pounded Indian posts and forward villages along the de-facto border in neighbouring Poonch, prompting India to retaliate in equal measure.

SSP Rajouri, Yougal Manhas told HT over phone that nearly 200 children had to be evacuated to safety in bullet proof vehicles in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district.

"Heavy shelling was reported in Bhawani, Sair and Kadali villages of Nowshera sector. Even now (5.45 pm), intense shelling is on. At least 11 students were trapped in



middle school Sair and nearly 50 students at high school Sair and around 150 in high school Bhawani," he said, adding that there was another school where children had to be kept inside because of the shelling.

 

Villagers showing the remains of mortar shells fired by Pakistan at Niaka Panjgrian area of Manjakote sector in Rajouri district on Monday. (PTI)

Rajouri deputy commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary rushed to Bhawani to take stock of the situation and evacuation.

The children were ferried from the school in bullet proof vehicles during the intermittent shelling by Pakistan, Choudhary said.