JAMMU, July 16:
Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire again by firing on outposts along the International Border in Jammu district, prompting Indian troops to retaliate.
Pakistani troops fired at Border Out Posts (BOPs) in Arnia forward area in R S Pura at 2030 hours yesterday just hours after a BSF trooper was killed in an earlier ceasefire violation by border guards on the other side.
“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 yesterday,” a BSF officer said today.
Border Security Force (BSF) troops of 192 Battalion took positions and retaliated back resulting in exchanges which were still going on in the area intermittently when the reports last came from the area, he said.
“There was no loss of life or injuries to anyone in these exchanges,” the officer said.
This is the fourth ceasefire violation by Pakistan this month. BSF authorities have asked all the border guards to be alert on their posts and forward BoPs.
A BSF trooper was killed and six, three of them security force personnel, were injured when Pakistan Rangers fired heavily at Indian forward positions along the International Border in Jammu district yesterday.
The Pakistani border guards fired at forward Pittal outpost in Arnia forward area in R S Pura at around 1115 hours yesterday 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 had yesterday reviewed the situation in wake of truce violation by Pakistan.
The ceasefire violations 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. (AGENCIES)
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