Panic gripped the residents of villages in many border districts of Punjab after reports of escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan spread, following a surgical strike by the army on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on September 28. Authorities have also began evacuating people residing in the villages falling within 10 kilometre of international border. Heads of local gurdwaras, temples with the help of Sarpanches have asked the people to evacuate at the earliest in the light of escalating situation.
Punjab shares 553-km border with Pakistan. It has six districts which lie close to international border. There are some 135 villages which lie very close to the IB.
(Sourced from agencies, feature image courtesy:The Economic Times)
