1 BSF jawan killed, 6 civilians hurt as Pakistan violates ceasefire again

The Border Security Force on Thursday said it had killed a Pakistani paramilitary jawan and wounded another after a BSF jawan died and six civilians were injured in shelling and firing from across the International Border in R S Pura and Arnia sectors since Wednesday night.

Pakistani troops also violated ceasefire along Line of Control in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district on Thursday.

"At 1230 and 1315 hours today, BSF troops in Arnia and R S Pura sectors killed one Pakistani Ranger and seriously injured another in the retaliatory firing," a senior BSF officer said in Jammu.

Pakistani Rangers somehow managed to evacuate their grievously injured colleague in the vehicle amidst exchange of fire, officer said.

"Pakistani has resorted to very heavy firing which is being responded in the befitting manner," he said.

Earlier, a BSF jawan died and six civilians were injured when Pakistani troops shelled over 15 Indian border outposts and 29 hamlets with mortar bombs and fired heavily from automatic weapons overnight in R S Pura and Arnia sectors along the International Border in Jammy district.

"One BSF jawan was injured when he was hit by a bullet in R S Pura sector of Jammu district during the night," the BSF officer said. He died on his way to hospital.

"There was heavy firing and mortar shelling on BoPs and villages along IB in R S Pura and Arnia sectors of Jammu district overnight and continued till this morning," a police officer said.

In the shelling, six civilians were injured in Khopra Basti belt in R S Pura this morning, he said, adding the injured have been taken to hospital for treatment.

Pakistani Rangers started firing heavy mortars and small arm fire towards the Indian side from 2035 hours Wednesday night, the BSF officer said.

Pakistan troops also violated ceasefire on the LoC by resorting to firing in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district.

"Pakistan troops have violated ceasefire and resorted to firing along LoC in Sunderbani sector today," a senior army officer said. Troops guarding the border retaliated, he added.

On Wednesday, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of BSF was injured when a shell fired by Pakistani Rangers exploded near him during overnight ceasefire violation in RS Pura sector along the International Border in Jammu.

As many as 16 people mostly women have been injured in the cross border firing in the RS Pura sector in past two days. 8 civilians were injured shelling in R S Pura and Arnia on October 25.

Jammu Deputy Commissioner Simrandeep Singh said the government has issued an advisory and all the educational institutions near the International Border have been closed in the wake of the firing from across the border.

Border residents are migrating to safer locations in the wake of the heavy firing, Singh said.

A six-year-old boy and a BSF Jawan were killed in the cross border shelling in the RS Pura sector on October 24.

Over 55 ceasefire violations have taken place since surgical strikes by Indian Army against terror launch pads in PoK on September 29.

IMAGE: A villager shows parts of mortar shell fired from across the LoC at India-Pakistan International border in Suchetgarh village of RS Pura sector. Photograph: PTI Photo