Jammu and Kashmir : Heavy firing on BSF posts in Hiranagar sector, one woman killed
Jammu – One woman was killed and six injured in the fresh firing by Pakistan Rangers on BSF posts in Jammu and Kashmir’s Hiranagar sector on Saturday afternoon. The fresh round of firing took place after three Pakistan Rangers soldiers were killed in a strong retaliation from India.
The firing came right after Pakistan on Friday night had resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing on several BSF posts along the border in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Saturday’s ceasefire violation was the fourth by the Rangers in as many days and the ninth in the last ten days.
BSF sources said they have got reports that five Pakistani Rangers have been killed in the exchange of fire, with six civilians having suffered major injuries. Reportedly, one woman has died in the Pakistan shelling in Jammu and Kashmir.
Two civilians with critical injuries have been shifted to Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu for treatment. Senior civil and paramilitary officials have rushed to take stock of the situation,” a senior police officer said.
BSF Director General DK Pathak, who briefed Home Minister Rajnath Singh at 10 pm on Friday, said the force had thwarted a “major infiltration attempt” from across the border and his troops were on high alert.
“We have foiled a major infiltration bid that was being carried out from across the Chorgali border outpost under the cover of heavy ceasefire violation firing,” Pathak said.
With the violations continuing unabated, Singh had ordered BSF to respond with “appropriate” action. The Home Minister also said the firing was unprovoked.
Also, IG BSF Rakesh Sharma said that all the BoPs falling in three battalion areas of Samba and Hiranagar are being fired upon by Pakistan amid mortar shelling. Mortar shelling has also hit civilian areas, he said.
There was firing on four Border Out Posts (BoPs) in Samba sector including at Regal, Challiyari, Suchetgarh and also on three to four such posts up to Bansantar forward belt in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, he said.
The firing and mortar shelling by Pakistani Rangers has come from Razab Sheed, Asif Sheed, Chak Bhura, New Pak and Dhandhar Posts, according to reports.
BSF troops guarding the IB has strongly retaliated, resulting in heavy exchanges which were still ongoing when reports last came in from the area, the officer said.
Police used speakers and announced that people should stay indoors and not venture outside, he said, adding that they have been also told to take shelter in bunkers.
Reports from the border villages of Manyari, Paansar, Bobia, Londi, Sadechak, Chailari, Chachwal, Mangu Chak, Regaal, Mawa, Sadho and Chak Fakira in Samba and Kathua districts said dozens of families had started migrating to safer places because of renewed Pakistan shelling on the international border.
