BSF kills 15 Pakistani paramilitary personnel

srinagar — BSF on Friday said it had killed 15 Pakistani paramilitary personnel while retaliating to cross- border shelling and firing in which two Indian civilians were killed and two injured in Jammu region.

Firing mortar shells and using automatic weapons, Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas and forward security posts along the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

BSF said that as per the ammunition used in firing and shelling, it appeared that Pakistani Army is supporting its paramilitary Rangers along the IB.

In retaliatory firing, 15 Pakistani rangers have been killed so far, BSF said.

“At 1720 hour yesterday (Thursday), Pakistan Rangers started unprovoked heavy firing and shelling in Kathua Sector of Jammu which further spread to Hiranagar and Samba. It continued till 0500 hours today (Friday) in the area of 24 BSF posts,” a senior BSF officer said.

BSF Additional Director General Arun Kumar told reporters here that a befitting reply was being given to the Pakistani shelling and firing.

“Fifteen Pakistani soliders have been killed in retaliatory firing and shelling by BSF. We have destroyed their OP (outposts) and damaged a few,” Kumar said. As per the ammunition (120mm mortars) used, it appears that Pakistani army is supporting the Rangers, he said after laying wreath at the mortal remains of BSF martyr Jitendra Kumar. — PTI