Indo-Pak International Border ceasefire violation claims lives on both sides
People are taking shelter in areas away from International Border
Indo-Pak International Border (IB) in Jammu is under heavy fire from both sides and civilians are the real sufferers. One civilian girl has been killed and three others injured on Indian side, while five civilians from Pakistan lost their lives while eight injured in crossfire in retaliation to Pakistan's firing.
Pakistani Rangers (Border Guarding Force of Pakistan) violated ceasefire at International Border in late evening on Wednesday, around 10:30 pm. Pakistan continued the border firing and other than Border Out Posts (BOP) also targeted almost a dozen of Indian border villages, in Jammu district.
Meanwhile, Indian BSF also retaliated strongly and targeted Pakistani posts, destroying two mortar points and also killing five civilians and injuring eight others.
Situation has become tensed in this part of Jammu & Kashmir and people are taking shelters in areas away from International Border, in this harsh winter season, fearing Pak shelling on civilian areas.
Late Head Constable A. Suresh sustained bullet injury on the head during cross border firing and was declared brought dead, by doctors at GMCH Jammu.
18-years-old Sweety, of Dyalachak, was killed too during Pak shelling. The deceased Sweety had only reached her paternal uncle's home one day before, in Pindi area, when a Pak mortar hit their house and killed her on the spot.
18-years-old Sweety, of Dyalachak, was killed too during Pak shelling. The deceased Sweety had only reached her paternal uncle's home one day before, in Pindi area, when a Pak mortar hit their house and killed her on the spot.
Pakistani Rangers targeted many border villages in RS Pura, Arnia in Jammu district and Ramgarh and Samba sectors in Samba districts.
Director General BSF KK Sharma said that situation at IB as well as at Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan is tensed and high-alert has been maintained. "Our force is ready and also giving befitting reply to each and every bullet fired by the Pakistan and there is heavy loss of lives and property on the other side of border too", DG said.
DG BSF added that India never violates ceasefire and only retaliates. He also added that strong message has been conveyed to the commanders in the field to react to each bullet of the enemy strongly.
DG BSF also visited border areas and reviewed the situation. He chaired a security meeting with senior BSF officials and passed instructions to retaliate strongly and maintain high level of alert at IB.
When asked about the terror movement on the other side of the IB, the DG BSF said that movement of terrorists have been observed on the other side and Pak may attempt to push infiltrators inside Indian territory to disturb peace on the occasion of Republic Day.