BSF JAWAN KILLED IN PAK FIRING

Two civilians also die in ceasefire violation across the International Border, taking the death toll to five since skirmishes began around two days ago

JAMMU: A 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 five since hostilities began around two days ago.

Officials familiar with the development 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.

Samba deputy commissioner Sheetal Nanda confirmed that the jawan, 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.

The flare-up along the IB, which has now extended up to the LoC in Jhangar area, originated from a sniping incident that occurred in Samba district on January 3. India had retaliated less than two weeks later, killing seven Pakistan soldiers at Jandrot in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on January 15.

4 COPS, 2 CIVILIANS INJURED IN PULWAMA

SRINAGAR: Four policemen and two civilians were injured when suspected militants lobbed a grenade at an administrative building in south Kashmir’s Pulwama town on Friday evening, officials said.

A senior police officer said that all injured are stable and the area near the tehsil office is under a cordon.

A search is on to nab the alleged attackers.