Soldier dies in‘sniper fire’ on LoC in Poonch
JAMMU: Close on the heels of the death of a soldier, Manmohan Budhani , in gun fire on the LoC in Balnoi area in Poonch district, another soldier died in a similar incident in Bhimber Gali (BG) sector in the same area on Tuesday evening.
The deceased was identified as Sepoy Ravinder Singh of 21 Punjab Regiment, a native of Sangrur in Punjab.
“Around 17:45 hours (5.45 pm) on Tuesday, Sepoy Ravinder Singh (belt number 2512397H) of 21 Punjab D-Coy deployed at Damu Post was hit by sniper fire from Jhanda Post of Pakistan on other side of the LoC, which is being manned by 650 Mujahid Regiment of Pak Army,” said an Intelligence source.
Budhani, of 20 Kumaon Regiment, a native of Awlakot Kotabagh, Nainital district, died in similar firing on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.
While police said it was sniper fire from across the LoC, the army maintained that it was “accidental fire” that killed him.
Defence spokesman, Lt Col Manish Mehta maintained that Ravinder Singh also died of “accidental discharge”.
The Pakistan army reportedly frequently resorts to sniper fire and planting mines inside Indian territory.
On April 2 this year, a JCO was killed in an IED blast near the LoC in Poonch district. It was suspected that the mine was planted by “rogue” elements from Pakistan.The BSF also lost a senior officer, DIG OP Tanwar, in one such Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion near a forward post in Samba sector on November 16, 2009 when his vehicle was blown up.
PAK OPENS HEAVY FIRE ALONG LOC IN POONCH
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Pakistan army opened heavy fire on Indian posts along the LoC.
“Pakistan army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars at 11:15 am on Indian army posts along the LoC in Poonch sector,” said an army spokesperson.
“The Indian army retaliated in equal measure. Exchange of fire stopped at around 1:30pm,” he added.
A SOLDIER WAS KILLED ON TUESDAY IN A MYSTERIOUS FIRE ON THE LOC IN POONCH SECTOR; POLICE SAID IT WAS A ‘SNIPER FIRE’ BUT ARMY CLAIMED IT TO BE AN ‘ACCIDENTAL FIRE’