The intensified shelling forced panicked locals to defect in hordes to safer places. The affected areas include Seri Sayal, Kalai, Dabar, Menka and Menki - all in Nowshera sector.

Sources reveal that the unprovoked firing started in the morning, and were continuing as reports last came in. Pakistan had resorted to firing of today's intensity after a long period of continued shelling. They had backed it up by evacuating almost all the villages falling on their side of the LOC.Pointing out that about 60 families had taken shelter at the Government Primary School in Sial (Nowshera), sources said that the first Pakistani attack came around 11.45 am and was followed by another bout around 12.30 pm.The Indian troops, which retaliated to the fresh attacks, had reportedheavy concentration of troops along the LOC in Rajouri and Poonch since the last few days. Pakistani reinforcements had even moved up to the Ditch-cum-Bund (DCB) on their side of the International Border since Wednesday.

On the International Border too, the Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing at various places in Arnia and Ramgarh sub-sectors. The affected villages include Chamliyal, Narianpur, Smailpur and Ballor. However, there was no loss of life or injury reported from the Indian side.

Meanwhile, the Minister for School Education, Mohammad Sharief Tariq, reviewed the law and order situation at a meeting with Defence and police authorities at Rajouri. The Army officials apprised the minister that strict vigil was being maintained in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, especially in areas along the LoC.

The Minister assured Army authorities of full cooperation from the state government, district administration and the locals to meet any challenge to counter the flare-up afterthe Kargil strikes. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri, B A Runyal, held a meeting with local residents of Rajouri and adjoining areas and appealed to them to cooperate with the Defence authorities and the state Government against heightened insurgency.

The Uri sector, meanwhile, also registered heavy mortar shelling from across the border. The Uri sector, which has been under severe shelling from across the border for quite some time, is now reeling under fire after the Army's Kargil operations.

Pakistan troops lobbed shells indiscriminately on about half-a-dozen villages in the area. It is learnt that two shells had fallen close to a Border Security Force bunker near NS Bridge.

A large number of villagers were seen fleeing to safer areas in Baramulla district. Residents of Gowalan too have reportedly fled their homes to safer villages nearby.

Mortar and small arms firing has been reported from the Gowhalan, Charunada and Tulawari areas.