AJK starts evacuation plan amid fear of Indian attack

Civilians continue to suffer amid call for ambulance services by PM AJK

ISLAMABAD: Following recent provocation by Indian forces at the Line of Control (LoC) resulting in the loss of civilians, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has readied evacuation plan to relocate locals to safe areas.

The decision has been taken amidst no let-up in LoC ceasefire violations by the Indian forces in the recent days, sources in AJK government told The Express Tribune.

Prime Minister AJK Raja Farooq Haider has directed the district machinery and local authorities in the areas located along LoC to make standby arrangements for relocating thousands of people whose lives have come under direct threat after the tension at border.

On a small-scale, the public in the villages directly affected by Indian military’s firing have been relocated. Further the evacuation activities would be extended to the sector-level if LoC ceasefire violations did not stop, it is learnt.



The instances of ceasefire violations by the Indian forces recorded an alarming increase since the start of the month February following which the AJK government has readied evacuation plan, says a cabinet member of the AJK PM.

As latest, the ceasefire violations from Indian side were reported from Battal, Rawlakot, Kotli and Khuiratta sectors.

Last week, the PM AJK ordered state honour for the martyrs of Indian aggression at LoC. All deputy commissioners were instructed to ensure the best treatment of the injured and funerals of martyrs with state honour, a statement from PM AJK said here last week.

The instructions were issued in the aftermath of Indian forces' attack at civilian van carrying school children in Battal sector in which the van driver was martyred.

In retaliation, Pakistan Army destroyed the said post in which five Indian soldiers were killed.



“Indian army attack on the school van driver by the sniper gun is the worst example of the deception. Indian Army is the worst army around the globe who targets innocent civilians including women, children and old men,” PM Haider said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad few days ago.

“There is no such example in the world that an army targets civilians, especially children and ambulances, but Indian Army does these besides their atrocities in the occupied valley. The Pakistan Army in response never targeted any civilian and is the best professional army, the whole Kashmiri nation is with the Pakistan armed forces.”



Haider said he directed the concerned departments to ensure availability of ambulances in the far-flung areas near LoC. "For that purpose, I have also sent the ambulance of Prime Minister Secretariat.”