Two civilians killed as Pakistan targets civilian areas, BoPs

A BSF soldier and three civilians were killed as Pakistan troops resorted to fresh shelling on Border Out Posts (BoPs) and civilian hamlets along the international border (IB) in Jammu district on Friday.

At least seven civilians were also injured as Pakistan Rangers continued firing for the second consecutive day.

A BSF official said head constable Jagpal Singh of A Coy 173 Battalion was wounded after Pakistan resorted to firing on Indian posts in Samba sector. Singh was shifted to District Hospital Samba for treatment but succumbed to his injuries.

The deceased civilians were identified as Kamal Jeet (40), Davinder Singh (33), and Bal Krishan (30) - all residents of Suchetgarh, RS Pura.

The official said that Pakistani forces resorted to unprovoked small arms firing using 120mm and 82mm mortar shells along the international border from RS Pura to Basanter river in Jammu district from 6:45 am onwards.

The heavy firing exchanges are going on and our troops are responding appropriately, he said.

The fresh exchange of shelling took place a day after Director General (DG) Border Security Force (BSF) KK Sharma said that the situation was tense on the border.

On Thursday, a BSF soldier and a girl were killed and at least five civilians were injured in a similar attack by Pakistani Rangers in R S Pura and Ramgarh sectors along the border.

Schools closed

Authorities have ordered the closure of all educational institutions falling within firing and shelling range as a precautionary measure.

Officials said panic-stricken border dwellers have confined themselves to their houses anticipating fresh firing from Pakistani Rangers.

A senior army officer said they expect the ceasefire violations to continue for some days as Pakistan has been relentlessly trying to push heavily-armed militants into India with nefarious intention of disturbing peace and cause casualties on security forces in the hinterland.

However, we are well aware of the new strategy of Pakistan and we have strengthened anti-infiltration grid. Whenever the militants try to infiltrate, they would be either killed or forced to retreat, he said.