* Intrusion bid by 10 ultras foiled
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 29: Frustrated over successful visit of United States President Barack Obama to India and failure to cause any terror attack in India, Pakistani Rangers tonight resumed heavy mortar shelling and firing in twin adjoining sectors of Arnia and RS Pura injuring three civilians including a woman. Initially, the mortar shells fell in Arnia town at about 8 pm and the shelling and firing continued till late tonight when the reports last came in. The BSF was retaliating effectively.
Fresh shelling and firing on the International Border by the Pakistani Rangers came after over a fortnight when they had heavily targeted Hiranagar and Samba sectors on the IB early this month killing two BSF jawans and a woman, leading to migration of over 10,000 people.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Pakistan initially started firing at Nikowal and Sei forward areas in RS Pura sector at 7.15 pm and later resorted to heavy mortar shelling in Arnia sector at 8 pm directly targeting the civilian population in Arnia town and surrounding villages of forward areas.
One of the mortar shells fell in a street of Arnia town causing serious splinter injuries to three civilians, who have been identified as Darshan Lal, 45, son of Baldev Chand, Vivek Kumar alias Vicky, 35, son of Tarsem Lal and Poly Devi, 50, wife of Anant Ram, all residents of Ward No. 3 in Arnia town.
Amidst continued shelling and firing, police and civilians evacuated the injured and shifted them to the Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, where their condition was stated to be critical.
The BSF retaliated effectively at all forward places in Arnia sector. Exchange of shelling and firing in Arnia sector continued till late tonight when the reports last came in.
Sources said as many as eight BSF posts in Chenaz, Pittal, Vikram and Pindi areas of Arnia sector were affected by Pakistan shelling and firing tonight.
“Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked small arms and mortar shelling in Arnia and RS Pura sectors at about 8 pm with small arms firing. The Rangers gradually shifted to concentrated mortar shelling on BSF posts in Arnia. As many as eight BSF posts were affected. Left with no option, the BSF retaliated in befitting manner. The firing and shelling was still on,” sources said.
They pointed out that the BSF troops in Jammu Frontiers have foiled seven infiltration attempts by the militants in this month only. Pakistani Rangers had provided covering fire to all the infiltrators.
“Probably frustrated due to no success in infiltration, Pakistani Rangers today resorted to mortar shelling,” sources said.
Sources said Pakistan was trying to push a group of 10 militants into the Indian territory under the cover of mortar shelling and firing from Arnia and RS Pura sectors. However, the alert BSF jawans have thwarted the infiltration attempt, they added.
The major intrusion bid was made at Jabowal forward village between Arnia and R S Pura Sectors.
The BSF spotted the infiltration attempt through thermal imagers and foiled it, sources said.
Prior to mortar shelling in Arnia sector, the Pakistani Rangers started firing at Nikowal in Sei village of RS Pura sector along the IB at 7.15 pm today. The BSF retaliated.
Intermittent exchange of firing continued till late tonight but there were no reports of any casualties or damage on the Indian side in Pakistan firing.
Yesterday also, the Rangers had opened firing in both Arnia and RS Pura sectors violating ceasefire.
Sources said fresh mortar shelling and firing by the Rangers directly targeting civilian areas including Arnia town has created panic among the people in border areas.
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