‘Ceasefire understanding,’ gives way to fresh firing, 2 BSF personnel die

Two Boarder Security Forces personnel were killed while 10 civilians were injured on Sunday as the armies of India and Pakistan traded heavy fire and shelling in Pargwal sector of Akhnoor along the International Border in Jammu.

The violation came  nearly a week after Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan agreed to implement the ceasefire pact of 2003 in “letter and spirit”.

   

As per BSF spokesperson, Pakistan Rangers opened fire on several forward posts in the area, resulting in injuries to two jawans, who later succumbed.

 “At about 0115 hrs, Pakistan side resorted to unprovoked firing by targeting forward duty points at International Border in Pargwal area. Two BSF troopers Assistant- Sub-Inspector S N Yadav  and Constable V K Pandey  sustained injuries. Both were evacuated immediately to medical facilities but they succumbed to injuries and attained martyrdom,” Jammu based BSF spokesperson ManojYadav told Greater Kashmir.

He further added that BSF retaliated effectively and strongly.

The sources said that the exchange of fire continued till morning in Pargwal, Kanachak, Jhri, ShamaChak, Khour and other forward areas of Akhnoor and Sunderbani sectors, involving over 25 border posts and 50 border villages. Ten persons, including a policeman and a woman were injured forcing people to abandon their homes and rush for safer places.

“All injured were admitted at Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu for treatment,” confirmed additional deputy commissioner Jammu ArunManhas.

The injured have been identified as selection grade constable Zakir Khan posted in Police station Kana Chak, Vikram Singh (35), Rattan Singh (28), Sulakshana Devi (25), BansiLal (40), Balwinder Singh (22), Sudhakar Singh (50), Pooja Devi (32), Pala Ram (52), Vishal Kumar (18) and Rajinder Singh (50).

“A total of 31 villages and 27,000 population  were affected in Sub Divisions Marh and Khour because of ceasefire violations from Pakistan,” Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu told Greater Kashmir.  “Six shelter camps have been kept ready for accommodating affected people.” 

Sources also said that the damage to civilian property and livestock was the outcome of Pakistan increasing range of its shelling deeper into the Indian side. 

The latest incident has triggered fresh concerns among the border villages who had started returning to their homes after DGMOs of the two countries in their meeting May 29  had agreed to “fully implement” the ceasefire pact of 2003.

Police and administration appealed to people living in R S Pura, Arnia, Samba, Hiranagar sectors to shift to safer places. Helpline numbers were issued to contact police for evacuation. Bullet proof bunkers were also placed in the border villages for safe removal of people in the affected areas.

The latest deaths in the firing has raised the casualty figure during ceasefire violations along the IB and the Line of Control (LoC) in the state to 46.The deceased include 20 security personnel.

Last month, thousands of people residing along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts had to flee their homes following intense cross-border shelling from May 15 to May 23 leaving 12 people dead.

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