Evacuation plan ready for Kashmiris living along LoC: AJK PM

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider said his government has prepared an evacuation plan for Kashmiri civilian population living along the highly vulnerable areas at the Line of Control (LoC).

Following his visit to several affected areas along the dangerous border, the PM AJK told senior journalists: “An anticipated evacuation plan has been worked out. This includes identifying places and buildings where we will rehabilitate displaced persons.”

Around 103,000 people live in 219 villages within the 500-metre radius of the LoC, Haider said.

Another 190,000 and 316,000 people lived within the two and five-kilometre radius of the LoC, respectively, he added.

“These people are facing several problems, resolution of which is the foremost responsibility of the governments in Muzaffarabad and Islamabad,” Haider continued.

Earlier in the morning today, three Pakistan army soldiers were martyred in unprovoked firing by Indian troops from across the Line of Control (LoC) at Rakhchikri Sector in Rawalakot, the military’s media wing said.

According to Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR), those martyred were identified as Subedar Muhammad Riaz, Lance Hawaldar Azizullah and Sepoy Shahid Mansab.

It said Pakistani forces responded to Indian firing befittingly and there were reports of casualties on the other side of the border as well.