J-K school severely damaged by heavy shelling by Pak

Bearing the brunt of the heavy shelling and ceasefire violation by the Pakistani troops, a school premise was heavily damaged here.

Faquir Dara School in Karmara sector of Poonch district was heavily damaged due to continuous ceasefire violation and shelling from the Pakistani side.

The school walls bore bullet marks, while many parts of it were broken down due to shelling.

Earlier on Wednesday, owing to the ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC), around 25 schools were asked to remain closed in the affected areas.

The development commissioner of the state's Poonch district had told ANI, "There was heavy firing at Poonch's Shahpur."

"The firing at the Line of Control (LoC) has gained intensity. To ensure the safety of the citizens, around 25 schools in the areas affected by firing, would remain closed. Around 12-13 of them are in Balakote sector," he added.

The commissioner said the situation in the district was being assessed and more schools are likely to be shut till the situation in the border area comes under control, adding that evacuation plans were also being prepared by the administration.

"We have also prepared an evacuation plan, under which shelter arrangements have been made for people. They would be given food and security. We have also arranged for ambulances near the danger zones", he said.

The district commissioner appealed the public to not touch unknown objects, as there are reports of unexploded shells being in the city.

On Tuesday, around 50 children were trapped inside two government schools due to ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in the state's Nowshera sector along the LoC.

The Indian Army rescued 12 students of primary schools.

-ANI