4 killed as India, Pakistan exchange fire
JAMMU: Four people, including three civilians and an Indian Army soldier, were killed and over a dozen others injured on Saturday on the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) in relentless ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
Also on Saturday, Pakistan again summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh to condemn “unprovoked ceasefire violations” by India, which it said had killed five civilians and injured 22 others over the past three days.
A soldier, identified as Sepoy Mandeep Singh, was killed in Pakistani firing in the Krishna Ghati (KG) sector of Poonch district.
District authorities in Jammu confirmed the deaths of three civilians in Pakistani shelling on the International Border.
“Pakistan ceasefire violations on the LoC started at 8.20 am. They used small arms and automatics to target Indian positions. Our troops retaliated effectively. However, Sepoy Mandeep Singh, 23, belonging to Punjab, was grievously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries,” Defence Ministry officials said.
Earlier, a Border Security Force (BSF) trooper and three civilians were injured in fresh firing by Pakistan Rangers on the IB of the state.
Police sources confirmed that over a dozen others, including civilians and security personnel, have been injured in Saturday’s escalated violence in the border.
“From Akhnoor to RS Pura, Pakistan Rangers carried out indiscriminate shelling and firing to target civilian and security facilities.
“A BSF trooper sustained injuries in the firing in Pargwal area while three civilians, including a minor girl, sustained injuries in Kanachak area of Akhnoor sector,” a police officer said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Ministry said Indian forces continued firing along the LoC and International Border on Saturday, which killed an elderly civilian and injured two girls.
“The number of casualties at international border has also risen due to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing by the Indian forces. Four more innocent civilians were killed, while 20 were injured on January 18 and 19,” the statement added.