Soldier, BSF jawan killed in Pak firing
HEAVY EXCHANGE Two civilians also die in ceasefire violation across the International Border, taking the death toll to six since skirmishes began around two days ago
JAMMU: A soldier, Border Security Force (BSF) jawan and two civilians were killed in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan forces along the International Border (IB) in Jammu region on Friday, taking the total death toll to six since hostilities began around two days ago.
Officials said at least six villagers were also injured when Pakistan Rangers opened fire at villages and military installations along the Arnia, RS Pura, Ramgarh and Hiranagar subsectors of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts around 6.30am.
The army said Lance Naik Sam Abraham, 34, of the 6 Madras died in the Pak shelling in the Chamb sector of Akhnoor around 2.45pm on Friday.
Samba deputy commissioner Sheetal Nanda said head constable Jagpal Singh of the BSF’s 176th battalion posted near the Chillyari border outpost in Samba sector, was killed in the military offensive. He hailed from Rajasthan.
As many as 23 people — including two BSF personnel — have been injured in enemy fire so far. The injured security personnel were identified as head constables Sat Paul Singh and Adarsh SS.
A BSF head constable, A Suresh, and a 17-year-old girl, Neelam, were initially killed when shelling by Pakistan forces began on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. The other two civilians killed in the crossfire have been identified as Bachno Devi, 50, and Sahil Kumar, 25. Seven civilians in Hiranagar, four in Samba and 12 in Jammu districts have been injured so far.
Meanwhile, reports of the Pakistan army shelling Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jhangar area in Rajouri’s Nowshera sector emerged on Friday.
“An alert was sounded after heavy shelling was reported there,” said Rajouri deputy commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary. Schools in affected areas have been closed as a precautionary measure.
The Pakistan army had also resorted to heavy shelling in Balakote sector along the LoC in Poonch district around 10.15 pm on Thursday.
PAKDCM SUMMONED
NEWDELHI: External affairs ministry on Friday summoned deputy high commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah to protest against the continued ceasefire violations and deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by Pakistan forces.