2 BSF jawans killed on border, days after Indiapak agree on ceasefire

JAMMU: Pakistani sniper fire and shelling killed two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and injured 12 villagers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor on Sunday, puncturing the hope of peace kindled after the director generals of military operations (DGMOS) of both countries agreed four days ago to strictly enforce a ceasefire declared in 2003.

At least 10 BSF posts and 35 villages were targeted by the Pakistani forces in the firing that began shortly after midnight and lasted until 10 am on Sunday. “There was targeted fire on our duty mounds from across the international border, which was helped by adjoining posts of (Pakistan) Rangers. In the targeted fire two our men were martyred,” said BSF Jammu frontier inspector general Ram Awtar. “After the DGMOS talked, we strictly adhered to ceasefire agreement but there is a difference in the words and deeds of Pakistan,” he added.

The deaths came as the state capital of Srinagar remained on edge after a paramilitary vehicle targeted by protesters ran over a 21-year-old Kashmiri man and injured another 24-year-old during heavy stone pelting after Friday prayers.

Security personnel in the state remain on a state of high alert in the wake of inputs that Jaish-e-mohammad (JEM) militants may try to target their installations during the ongoing holy month of Ramzan even as the Centre has declared an unilateral cessation of operations by security forces in the state.