12,000 have fled J-K border villages

26 December 2001
The Indian Express

Jammu: About 12,000 people have fled the border villages in the wake of escalated firing by Pakistan Rangers from across the International Border (IB) in Samba, Hiranagar, R.S. Pora and Akhnoor sectors since the past fortnight, officials said. Sources said here this evening that about 3,500 people have fled from various villages of the Akhnoor sector which is the scene of severe cross-fire between Indian and Pakistani border guards during the past 15 days. The migration started when tension erupted in Samba on December 23 after a BSF foot patrol was ambushed by the rangers near the Galar border outpost, leaving three jawans dead. The BSF fired back, destroying three Pakistani BOPs and wounding three rangers.Since then, Indian and Pakistani border guards have been engaged in fierce firing.