Pakistan targets 10 Indian posts, 2 BSF jawans injured

Two BSF jawans were today injured as Pakistani troops opened fire at ten border out posts and civilian areas along the International Border in Jammu and Samba districts.

Violating the ceasefire, the Pakistani rangers fired on border out posts and forward civilian areas along International Border in R S Pura, Pargwal, Samba, Jugnu Chak areas of Jammu and Samba districts, police said.

They resorted to firing along IB in Kharkota, Kharkal, AMK, Mangral of R S Pura sub sector, Regal and Rajpora in Samba sector and Nikowal BoPs, they said.

In Nikowal BoP, two BSF constables Gangan Thakur and Hasda were injured and hospitalised, they said.

BSF troops guarding the borderline took positions and retaliated strongly resulting in exchanges, which are still going on in some areas in R S Pura and Pargwal sub sectors.

Heavy exchange of fire was still on in Jugnu Chak of RS Pura sub sector and Nikowal forward area of Pargwal sub-sector in Jammu district, police officials said.

Pakistani troops were using automatic weapons and 82 mm mortar shells.

In the backdrop of the increased ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde will visit forward areas along the IB on October 22 to review the security situation.

While the firing was on in Pargwal area, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand was addressing a rally nearby, asking authorities to gear up for any eventuality and drawing up a contingency plan to deal with the border firing.

On October 16, Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire by firing at Kamalkote forward area of Uri belt, Krishnagati and Bhimbhergali sub-sectors of Poonch district and Mangu Chak and Khatav border out posts along IB in Samba.

Pakistani troops had also violated the ceasefire twice on October 15 by firing on Hamirpur-BhimbherGali sub-sector along LoC and Balakote forward areas along LoC in Poonch district, killing an Army jawan.

On October 14, Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire twice and resorted to firing along Poonch LoC and also Katav BoP along IB in Samba district, leaving a BSF jawan injured.

Over 130 ceasefire violations have been reported in 2013, the highest in the past eight years.