MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on Wednesday ordered all the departments to remain on high alert to deal with the situation arising out of India’s unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC).

He was presiding over a high-level meeting convened to review the overall situation along the restive dividing line as well as the level of preparedness of the government departments concerned in this regard, according to a press release.

Mr Haider asked the health department to ensure availability of the requisite facilities in areas along the LoC so that the victims of Indian firing could be provided immediate medical relief.

He said that food items and other commodities of daily use should also be stockpiled in the areas to meet urgent requirements of the affected population.

The AJK prime minister also underlined the need for creating awareness among the public to save their children from dud shells or ‘toy bombs’. He noted that India had been continuously violating the ceasefire agreement and targeting civilian populations to divert attention of the international community from flagrant human rights violations in the India-held Kashmir.

“India wants to push back the AJK civilian population [from the LoC], but the valiant people will not bow to the Indian aggression,” he said.

Mr Haider said the savagery of Indian troops was also evident from the fact that they did not spare healthcare facilities, ambulances, educational institutions and school vans from shelling, which warranted additional care and caution.

He vowed that the AJK people would continue to defend their area against Indian aggression while standing shoulder to shoulder with their armed forces.

Meanwhile, the prime minister issued directives to the AJK highways department to ensure early completion of Lesva bypass in Neelum valley.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2019