Pakistan troops violate ceasefire yet again, fires at Indian posts in RS Pura

In an escalation of ceasefire violations, Pakistani troops, on Sunday night, opened fire at six forward posts of the BSF along the International Border(IB) in Jammu district.

According to a senior BSF officer, the Pakistani rangers resorted to unprovoked firing at the six Border Out Posts (BOP) in RS pura sub-sector from 8.30 PM (IST). Two of the six BOPs were pounded with mortar shells, he said.

The BSF troops took positions and retaliated effectively triggering exchanges, the officer said, adding there was no loss of life or injury to anyone on the Indian side.

The Pakistani troops yesterday pounded 14 forward Indian posts and civilian areas in Jammu frontier with mortar shells overnight, leaving two BSF jawans injured.

There was firing and shelling of mortar bombs on 14 forward posts and civilians areas in RS Pura, Pargwal, Samba, Hiranagar and Jagnockah border belts along IB in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts during the night, according to police.

Pakistani troops fired 82 mm mortars which landed in civilian areas in R S Pura, triggering panic among border dwellers, they said.

In Nikowal border belt, two BSF jawans sustained minor splinter injuries, they said.

BSF troops guarding the borderline with Pakistan, took positions and retaliated effectively resulting in exchanges which stopped last morning.

Nine persons including five civilians have been injured in Pakistan firing and shelling in 24 hours since Friday.

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

Pakistan Rangers on Friday resorted to unprovoked firing on 10 BoPs and forward civilian areas along IB in R S Pura, Pargwal, Samba areas of Jammu and Samba districts. In Nikowal BoP, two BSF constables Gangan Thakur and Hasda were injured.

On October 17, Pakistan Army had pounded civilian areas along IB in Najwal-Pargwal belt of Jammu resulting in injuries to five persons, including 3 children, in Jammu district, prompting retaliation from Indian troops.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has requested the Government to take up the ceasefire violation issue firmly with Pakistan.

A total of 136 ceasefire violations have been reported in 2013, the highest in the past 8 years, a Defence spokesman said.