JAMMU: Two civilians were killed and an Army jawan attained martyrdom as Pakistan troops shelled forward border outposts and targeted civilian areas along International Border and the Line of Control across Jammu region on Saturday.
”Pakistan Army on Saturday morning at around 0820 hrs initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms and automatics in Krishna Ghati sector along the Line of Control,” a defence spokesman here said.
He said that Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively, adding, “in the exchange of fire, Sepoy Mandeep Singh was grievously injured and succumbed to his injuries”.
The spokesman said that Mandeep Singh, 23, belonged to village Alampur, District Sangroor, Punjab and is survived by his father Gurnaam Singh.
The martyred soldier was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty, he said.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Rangers also targeted civilian areas in R S Pura, Arnia and Kanhachak sector along international border in Jammu.
Two persons identified as Gharu Ram,15, and an elderly man have died in the cross-border firing.
Some of the injured were identified as Sheetla Devi, Sonia Devi, Billu Gujjar, BSF SI Jarnal Singh and they have been hospitalised at Government Medical College and Hospital.
The Government has ordered closure of all the schools located along the international border and the Line of Control in view of heavy shelling by the Pakistan.
Pakistan continued heavy mortar shelling throughout the night along almost entire International Border (IB) in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts and Line of Control (LoC) in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Four people, including an Army jawan, a BSF Head Constable have been martyred, two civilians killed and 50 others including two BSF jawans and civilians, injured, some of them seriously while over 100 cattle had died in last 24 hours.
“Army and BSF troops have been giving a befitting reply to Pak shelling,” said an official.
He said that heavy mortar shelling and firing is still continuing at most of the areas along the International border in Jammu, while exchange of fire has stopped along the LoC.
Panic triggered among the people as entire IB and LoC in Jammu region is virtually facing war-like situation.
The border dwellers in RS Pura, Arnia, Ramgarh, Hiranagar, Kanachak and Pargwal sectors left their houses for safer locations including the relief camps set up by the administration.
(AGENCIES)
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