SIALKOT: United Nations peacekeeping mission observers visited on Tuesday villages near the Indian border which have recently been hit by Indian shelling.

The UN observers met affected people and sought details about the month-long shelling, which have caused losses to their properties and cattle. They also enquired after the health of several people injured by the shelling.

Officials of Chenab Rangers briefed the observers on the situation prevailing along the Sialkot border.

Later, the UN observers from Italy and Finland told reporters that they were investigating the situation and collecting evidence.

Meanwhile, the villagers heaved a sigh of relief as there was no firing by the Indian Border Security Force on Tuesday, probably because of the presence of the UN observers.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2014