J&K: 3 civilians, 2 jawans killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan

Five people, including a two BSF jawan were killed and 35 others injured after Pakistan violated ceasefire for the third consecutive day on Saturday in three districts of Jammu and Kashmir along the International Border, officials said.

"The Pakistan Rangers continued to fire and launch shells along the IB in Arnia, Ramgarh, Samba and Hiranagar sectors till 5 am", a police official said. "

The Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing by small arms, automatics weapons and mortars from 1830 hours in Sunderbani sector (in Rajouri district) along the Line of Control (LOC). Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively," an army officer said.

However, in the exchange of fire, Lance Naik Sam Abraham was grievously injured and succumbed later, he said.

The 34-year-old Lance Naik belonged to Poonakam village of Allepey district in Kerala and is survived by his wife and a daughter, aged 1 year and 10 months.

"Lance Naik Sam Abraham was a brave and sincere soldier.

The nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," he said.

Tension gripped people living close to the international border and the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu region as authorities ord the red closure of schools there. "All schools within five km radius of the LoC and the international border shall remain closed for three days," officials of the provincial administration said here.

Between 8,000 to 9,000 people living along the IB migrated to safer places and most of them were living with their relatives, the official said. Over 1,000 people are housed in camps in R S Pura, Samba and Kathua areas, he said. Educational institutes have been closed for next three days along the IB and the LoC in Jammu region by authorities in wake of increased tension along the Indo-Pak border, officials said.

OneIndia News