Samba: A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed in unprovoked firing by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border in the Ramgarh sector of Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir on early Thursday, said officials, reported news agency PTI.
Pakistan targeted Indian border posts in the residential areas in the Ramgarh sector. "During night intervening 8/9 Nov 2023, Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing in Ramgarh area which was befittingly responded to by BSF troops," the BSF said in a statement, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Notably, the firing targeting Border Outposts in the district is the third ceasefire violation in 24 days by the Pakistani Rangers along the International Border on the Jammu frontier.
BSF jawan injured
According to the official, a BSF personnel suffered injuries and was evacuated to a local hospital. The injured personnel was later moved to the GMC Hospital in Jammu.
Ramgarh Community Health Centre Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dr Lakhwinder Singh said one BSF jawan was injured in Pakistani firing and reported to the centre for treatment around 1 am. “A BSF official was injured in the cross-border firing here (in Ramgarh). He was brought here at 1 am and was given adequate treatment by our team at the hospital, who were on high alert as we had prior knowledge of the incident,” said Dr Singh.
Villager Mohan Singh Bhatti of Jerda said a fear psychosis is prevailing along IB due to firing and shelling. “The land of our village lies adjacent to the ‘no man's land’. There was a round of firing right before 12 am, which was followed by heavy rounds of firing from 12:20 am,” said a resident of Ramgarh village in Samba District of Jammu and Kashmir.
DG BSF on ceasefire violation
Director General (DG) of Border Security Force (BSF) Nitin Agrawal said that the Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (CFV) has been on track over two or three times along IB in Jammu. "Pakistan targets our posts and we retaliate efficiently. We are getting reports that there is vast damage to the Pakistani side as well. Details are emerging," he said.
BSF DG further said that a desperate effort from Pakistan will be foiled by alert troops as they are violating the ceasefire pact. "One Terrorist killed a Shopian. There are attempts being made across the border to Infiltrate intruders. Each year onset of winter, a desperate attempt was made by Pakistan to Infiltrate terrorists on this side. Forces are maintaining strict vigil along the LC and IB," he added.
On October 28, there was heavy firing and shelling by Pakistan Rangers for approximately seven hours, which led to injuries to two BSF jawans and a woman. On October 17, two BSF personnel were injured in unprovoked firing by Pakistan Rangers in the Arnia sector. This incident marks the sixth violation since both sides agreed to a ceasefire on February 25, 2021.
(Report: Rahi Kapoor)
