Hiranagar, Kathua: Retired servicemen, who had fought Indo-Pak wars in this border constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, today braved the winter chill for their "national duty" to caste votes and strengthen democracy in the state, in their bid to counter the ongoing Pakistan-sponsored proxy war.

79-year-old retired Naib Subedar Kartar Singh, who had fought in 1965 and 1971 wars, has been living under the shadow of Pak guns in Hiranagar border constituency badly hit by attacks from across the border, but was among the first persons to have voted.

"I am performing my national duty even after hanging my uniform as a solider by voting to defend, guard and strengthen the democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, where its is under assault from Pak-sponsored proxy war," Singh said, adding that everyone should exercise their franchise with dedication to keep the democracy alive in the state.

The Hiranagar segment has a large number of ex-servicemen living along the International Border (IB).

"Soldiers never die even if we hang our uniforms. But we will continue to perform our national duty to make Indian democracy powerful and world's best by voting," former solider of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI), Sansar Chand, who cast his vote among 994 electorate at Londi polling station, said.

Other than safety and security along the border, the electorate in this constituency also voted for development, permission to cultivate their lands, and reservation for IB youths in recruitment to Army.

Preeto Devi, who voted at Gangwal polling station, said,

"Successive governments failed to ensure development of our areas. The roads are in bad condition, drinking water and power is still not a daily affair in these villages."

A B.Com student and first time voter, Mohit Kumar exercised his franchise at a Government School in Chalyari belt close to IB that came under terror attack.

"We should get same rights as the youth living along LoC get, particularly reservation in recruitment. Apart from this, we want more colleges for skill development and professional education to train our youth for jobs and also more focus on private sector and growth of Industries to create more jobs", he said.

Border belts of Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri districts, particularly Hiranagar and Arnia-R S Pura bore the brunt of Pak shelling in which 11 people were killed, nearly 100 others suffered injuries and 32,000 people were displaced in August and October this year.

The parts of Kathua and Samba border belts also faced flood fury in September.

Hiranagar also suffered terror attacks in March this year and last year in which over 13 people including 5 militants were killed.

The constituency has polled 30.47 per cent votes of a total 1,07,657 electorate at 134 polling station till 1200 hours on Saturday.