Shelling of densely populated areas devastating: CM Omar

Rajouri, May 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday while condemning intense cross-border shelling on densely populated civilian areas, said it was alarming that the main towns, including Poonch were hit by mortar shells. The Chief Minister visited border district Poonch and took stock of the losses suffered by people due to the intense shelling. Talking with media persons, Omar Abdullah said that a “war like situation” emerged in Jammu and Kashmir during the recent days and a number of areas had remained affected, he added.

The Chief Minister further stated the fallout of the situation was to an extent that almost 90 percent people have migrated from the Poonch town, leaving it deserted. "Everyone has been hit and all sections of the population are affected. Even the temples, gurdwaras and mosques were sadly hit by the shells, " he said. CM Omar applauded the brotherhood and harmony shown by people of Poonch. The CM further stated that the rescue was the priority during shelling in order to save human lives by evacuating the injured and now rehabilitation is on top of the priority list.

"Administrations in all the districts of affected areas have been asked to constitute special teams which will assess the losses of people," the Chief Minister said, adding that these teams will also include engineers who will assess the losses of structures of affected families.