Indian gunfire heard in Sialkot

Published October 20, 2001

SIALKOT, Oct 19: Heavy gunfire by Indian security forces was heard in several parts of Sialkot district early Friday morning and at noon.

Official sources said that Indian troops shelled villages in Chhumb and Bajwat sectors of the Sialkot working boundary, destroying several houses and standing paddy crops.

However, no casualty was reported from any place.

Unconfirmed reports said scores of cattle were killed in unprovoked firing by Indian forces in Bajwat, Chaprar, Harpal, Sucheetgarh, Bajragarhi, Jammu, Chhumb, Charwa, Shakargarh and Zafarwal sectors.

Meanwhile, Chenab Rangers thwarted two major Indian attempts of fencing along Bajwat and Chhumb sectors.

“The Indians also suffered heavy losses in addition to the destruction of their two big defensive pillars,” sources claimed.

RALLIES: People from different walks of life on Friday denounced US-led strikes on Afghanistan.

Scores of rallies were reportedly taken out in Sialkot city, Cantonment, Daska, Bhopalwala, Sambrial, Uggoki, Pasrur, Chawinda, Badiana, Shakargarh, Zafarwal, Baddomalhi and Narowal after Friday prayers.

The protesters put to torch effigies of the US president and chanted anti-US slogans. They termed the attack on Afghanistan an act of terrorism.

Strong police contingents were deployed at the rallies to avert any untoward incident.

The Sialkot District Bar Association also brought out a protest rally from district courts which terminated at the Allama Iqbal Chowk.