Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 24: Asserting that Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling on international border in which a BSF jawan and a minor were killed, Director General BSF K K Sharma today apprehended possibility of Pakistani Army supporting Rangers in cross border firing.
"I cannot say whether it is Pakistani Rangers or Regulars but possibly Pakistani Army is supporting the Rangers in shelling forward villages and BoPs on this side of the border,"Sharma told mediapersons here this afternoon after wreath-laying ceremony of Head Constable Suhil Kumar of Kurukshetra, Haryana here at BSF Headquarters, Paloura.
Kumar attained martyrdom in Pak firing while giving befitting reply to the enemy early this morning in RS Pura sector here."Pakistani Army's role in backing Rangers cannot be ruled out," said the BSF chief.He added, "I want to make it clear that unprovoked fire is always initiated by the Pakistan and we fire in retaliation."Day before BSF jawan Gurnam Singh was hit by a sniper shot from Pakistan side following which BSF retaliated, he asserted.
Sharma said Pakistan is still smarting under the surgical strike by the Indian Army and added, "the way they are bombarding clearly shows that they want to target civilian areas but as far as our policy is concerned, we never target populated locations.""We only target the places from where the fire comes and the military, Pak Rangers establishments.
We never intentionally target civilians," the DG BSF said and added, "area weapons do not have accuracy and as a result of which, civilians also get harmed and property damaged."On damage across the border, he said, "I have been told that across the border, Pakistan has also suffered the damages.""Opposite our forward post Chenab, ambulance movement was seen, which means Pakistani Rangers have also suffered the damages," he asserted.
On Pakistan firing during festive seasons, the DG said, "no doubts, Pakistan fires during festive seasons like it happened in 2014, 2015 but BSF will keep giving befitting reply to Pakistan whenever they target our posts or civilians."He further said Pakistan creates flash point to start action, which might be to support infiltration but BSF is committed to foil all their nefarious designs.In a message, the DG BSF said, "we have asked our commanders not to initiate the fire but at the same time give befitting and proper reply to the firing." "I want to convey to Pakistan that they stop their act otherwise like always, they have face the defeat and befitting response from our side."Earlier, the DG laid wreath at the body of martyred jawan.He was flanked by senior officials of BSF, State Police, Administrative and J&K Ministers. |
