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| 2 BSF jawans martyred, 13 civilians injured; IGP Jammu says 'ready for anything' | | Ceasefire violation in Akhnoor | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, June 3: Two BSF personnel, including an officer, were on Sunday killed as Pakistani Rangers targeted Indian posts along the IB here with mortars and firing, a violation which comes nearly a week after DGMOs of both countries agreed to implement the ceasefire pact of 2003 in "letter and spirit".
The heavy firing and mortar shelling from across the border in Pragwal area of Akhnoor and nearby Kanachak and Khour sectors also left 11 persons, including a policeman and a woman injured, and forced people to abandon their homes and rush for safer places.
"The Pakistani side resorted to unprovoked firing by targeting forward duty points at International Border (IB) in Pragwal around 0115 hours, causing critical injuries to Assistant Sub-inspector S N Yadav (48) and constable V K Pandey," a senior BSF officer said. He said both the injured were evacuated to medical facilities but succumbed to injuries.
The firing from across the border in violation of the ceasefire agreement prompted a strong and effective retaliation by the BSF, the officer said, adding cross-border firing spread to Kanachak and Khour areas as well and was going on when last reports came in.
At least 13 civilians have been injured in the firing. "We are fully prepared to face any situation. Thirteen civilians are injured but their morale is high, we have made full arrangements to vacate people from vulnerable areas," IGP Jammu SD Singh told media.
The firing from across the border in violation of the ceasefire agreement prompted a strong and effective retaliation by the BSF, the officer said.
Cross-border firing was going on when last reports came in, he added.
"Pakistan violated ceasefire along IB in J&K after agreeing to implement the 2003 pact in 'letter and spirit'," a senior BSF official said, while confirming the casualties.
In retaliation, Indian troops have reportedly incurred heavy damage across the border. According to sources, eight to ten Pak Ranger bunkers have been damaged. A large number of ambulances have been spotted on the other side, sources added.
The incident comes only days after Pakistan initiated a hotline conversation between DGMO of the two armies.
During the conversation, the Indian and Pakistani DGMO agreed to fully implement ceasefire at the border in accordance with the understanding of 2003.
"Both the DGMOs agreed to fully implement the Ceasefire Understanding of 2003 in letter and spirit forthwith and to ensure that henceforth the Ceasefire will not be violated by both sides," Pak and Indian Army had said in a joint statement last Tuesday.
It was also mutually agreed that in case of any issue, restraint will be exercised and the matter will be resolved through utilisation of existing mechanisms of Hotline Contacts and Border Flag Meetings at Local Commanders' Level.
It is not the first time Pakistan has gone back on its word recently. On May 20, the Pakistan Rangers "pleaded" with BSF to stop firing along the IB, after being pounded with heavy artillery that left a Pakistani trooper dead. Only to initiate ceasefire violation hours later on the same night.
The intense shelling from Pakistan between May 15 and May 23 had forced thousands of people residing along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts to flee their homes. At least 12 people were killed, including two BSF jawans and an infant, and scores of others were injured. |
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