Pak violates ceasefire twice, jawan injured in Jammu

BSF troops guarding the borderline took positions and retaliated, resulting in the exchange which continued for over 15 minutes in Jammu.

Jammu, Oct 21: A BSF jawan was today injured as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the LoC in Rajouri and the International Border in Kathua district, prompting the Indian forces to retaliate strongly.

BSF troops had yesterday foiled a major infiltration bid in the same area by a group of six militants. "Pakistani soldiers resorted to indiscriminate firing from 1240 hours on the Indian Army posts along the Line of Control in Rajouri sector," a defence spokesman said.

"The Indian Army is responding strongly. The exchange is going on," he said. A BSF officer said, "Pakistani Rangers resorted small arms firing on a forward border out post (BoP) along IB in Bobiya area of Hiranagar sector of Kathua district from 0945 hours today."

"BSF troops guarding the borderline took positions and retaliated, resulting in the exchange which continued for over 15 minutes," he said, adding one BSF jawan was injured in the firing.

According to unconfirmed reports, a Pakistani ranger was either injured or killed in retaliatory action. Pakistani troops used small arms, automatic weapons and 82 mm mortars bombs to target Indian positions, he said.

With this, the number of ceasefire violations along the IB and the LoC in the state after surgical strikes by the Indian Army in PoK has risen to 31. Indian and Pakistani forces are exchanging fire for past four days in the sector. Pakistani troops have violated ceasefire five times in past four days.

Pakistani troops had yesterday heavily shelled areas in Bhimber Gali sector along the LoC in Rajouri district. Meanwhile, Pakistan Army said Pakistani and Indian troops today exchanged fire across the working boundary.

It said the exchange took place in Shakargarh sector in Punjab province. "No loss of life or property has been reported so far," a Pakistani military statement said. The exchange of fire started at 9 AM and continued for half an hour, it said.

PTI