Pak violates ceasefire again, targets BoPs along IB in Jammu

Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire again by targeting Border Outs Posts with small arms and automatic weapons along International Border in Jammu district, prompting Border Security Force troops to retaliate.

Pakistani rangers fired at Border Out Posts in Arnia-Pindi forward area in R S Pura Thursday night in Jammu district, a BSF officer said in Jammu on Friday.

The BSF troops replied to Pak firing, resulting in exchanges intermittently, he said, adding there was no loss of life or damage to property in the incident.

This is the third ceasefire violation by Pak rangers in just two days and fifth in the month of July.

On July 16, Pakistan Rangers after a brief lull resorted to firing on BoPs along IB in forward belt of Arnia in R S Pura tehsil of Jammu district around 2030 hours on Wednesday night. BSF replied effectively to the Pak firing.

A BSF trooper was killed and six others, three of them security force personnel, were injured when Pakistan Rangers fired heavily at Indian forward positions along the International Border in Jammu district Wednesday morning.

The Pakistani border guards fired at forward Pittal outpost in Arnia forward area in R S Pura at around 1115 hours on Thursday without any provocation. Constable Sanjay Dhar, belonging to 192 BSF Battalion, was killed and three BSF jawans and as many labourers were injured in the firing by Pakistani Rangers. The labourers were engaged in agriculture activity.

Senior BSF officers including Director General of BSF D K Pathank had reviewed the situation in wake of truce violation by Pakistan. BSF authorities have asked all the border guards to be alert on their posts and forward BoPs.

Ceasefire violation on the Wednesday morning came after the two sides held a flag meeting at Chambiliyal BOP in Samba district on Tuesday to discuss removal of wild bushes along the zero line and adjoining areas to improve visibility during patrolling.

On July 1, Pakistan troops resorted to heavy firing with automatic and small weapons on Indian posts along the LoC in Mendhar forward area in Poonch district.

On July 12, Pakistan Rangers targeted the Indian posts in Pindi belt along the International Border with small weapons.

In June, Pakistan violated the ceasefire five times along LoC and IB in Jammu region. There were 19 incidents of ceasefire violation along the LoC in April-May.