BSF jawan killed in Pak shelling

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 18

In an almost “war-like” situation on the International Border (IB), a Border Security Force jawan was killed today as Pakistani Rangers violated the ceasefire in RS Pura, Arnia and Ramgarh sectors of the Jammu frontier. Also, five civilians were injured in intermittent shelling throughout the day. In retaliation, the BSF inflicted huge damage on Pakistani Rangers. 

“They have suffered huge losses, both in terms of life and property,” KK Sharma, Director General, BSF, said.  “They targeted over a dozen border out-posts (BoPs) in three sectors through the night.” A police officer said Pakistani troops targeted over 20 hamlets along the IB.

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Constable A Suresh from Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu was hit by a bullet in the head at 10.30 pm last night. “He was evacuated to the GMCH, Jammu, where he was declared dead,” said a BSF spokesperson.

Sweety, a teenaged girl of Dyala Chak in Kathua district, was killed while she was at her maternal uncle’s home in Arnia when a shell landed on the house. Three more civilians were injured in Arnia sector, whereas two were injured in Ramgarh sector of Samba district.  The DG termed it as a ‘war-like’ situation and blamed Pakistan for it. 

“We could say the situation is tense. We have had incidents of ceasefire violation at the Line of Control, and now on the International Border as well. We are a peace-loving country and don’t want a war-like situation,” he said, adding that the directions to the commanders on the ground were clear — to retaliate with full force.

Jammu Additional Deputy Commissioner Arun Manhas said officers had been told to remain in a state of highest preparedness in view of the ceasefire violations. He, however, said villagers had not been evacuated so far. The issue was raised in the Assembly by BJP MLA and state president Sat Sharma and Mian Altaf of the National Conference.   (Inputs by Vishal Jasrotia in Samba)