SIALKOT: Guns fell silent on the Working Boundary for the first time in 15 days on Wednesday as observers from the United Nations Kashmir mission visited villages in Sialkot that have taken the brunt of shelling by India’s Border Security Force.

Sialkot District Coordination Officer (DCO) Dr Asif Tufail told Dawn that all government and private schools remained closed for the 13th consecutive day in villages along the border due to unprovoked mortar shelling by India.

A group of Sialkot-based lawyers also visited the border villages in the Sucheetgarh sector during the day.

The UN observes met people affected by Indian shelling in border villages of Chaprar, Rangpur Jattan, Salehpur, Thathi, Jhumiyaan, Kundanpur and Sucheetgarh.

They sought details from them about the recent spells of unprovoked mortar shelling on their villages.

“We are investigating the situation and collecting evidence,” the UN officials said.

The villagers informed the observers that a number of houses had been destroyed as Indian forces resorted to indiscriminate shelling.

The Punjab Rangers briefed the UN observers about the BSF bombardment.

At least eight civilians have so far lost their lives and over 50 have been injured in shelling by the Indian forces since January.

Published in Dawn November 3rd, 2016