Hostilities between two sides must end: Mehbooba

SRINAGAR: While expressing grief and anguish over the killing of four BSF personnel, including officers, in cross border shelling at Ramgarh Jammu, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday demanded cessation of hostilities on the borders to protect lives and properties of border people.

“The border residents have been caught in a distressing situation from past few months that has put them to vulnerability,’’ Mufti said in a statement.

She said that the suspension of operations elsewhere in the state has given people a sigh of relief and hoped the same is extended to the borders, so that an atmosphere of peace returns to these areas. Mufti, while expressing her sympathies to the bereaved families, also prayed for peace to the departed souls.

Meanwhile, deputy CM Kavinder Gupta said the soldiers are always ready to retaliate to these attacks on the borders. “It is a very concerning situation. Pakistan has been targeting civilian population frequently. The army is always ready to retaliate to these types of attacks,’’ he said while expressing anguish over the killing of BSF men.

The killing of four BSF men has come at a time when J&K government is hopeful that the unilateral Ramzan ceasefire will be extended in the state.