42 unexploded Pak shells destroyed in J&K's Poonch
The Army and the Jammu & Kashmir Police Sunday carried out a 'controlled operation' to safely destroy 42 unexploded Pakistani shells in the border district of Poonch.
These unexploded shells were destroyed in border areas of Jhullas, Salotri, Dharati and Salani, said a statement issued Sunday by the Defence Public Relations Officer, Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal.
'These shells, remnants of recent cross-border shelling, posed a serious threat to the lives and safety of local residents,' he said, adding that the operation was carried out with 'utmost precision, adhering to all standard safety protocols to prevent any risk to civilian life or property'.
Bomb disposal teams from the Army, in coordination with police, ensured the complete neutralisation of all explosive remnants, the statement said.
Army engineers have launched a sweeping clearance operation across border districts, defusing over 80 unexploded shells in the past five days — including 6 in Pargwal, 19 in Rajouri, 42 in Poonch, and 12 along the IB.
Meanwhile, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar Sunday visited the Mendhar subdivision to take stock of the situation in areas affected by the cross-border shelling. He promised swift relief and compensation measures.
Kumar was accompanied by Poonch Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal and other senior district administration officers.
The Divisional Commissioner inspected several affected locations and spoke with residents. He also visited the residence of the family where a woman lost her life due to the shelling.
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