BSF constable killed in Pak sniper fire in Tangdhar sector

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 20

A BSF constable was killed in a ceasefire violation in north Kashmir's Tangdhar sector in Kupwara district today.

Constable Sunil Murmu of the 124 Battalion of the BSF, who was deployed at a forward post at Kanhai in Tangdhar, was critically injured in Pakistani sniper fire along the Line of Control in the Tangdhar sector around 5 pm

“He got shot in the stomach and was evacuated to the Army’s 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar in an Army helicopter. He attained martyrdom at 8.30 pm,” said BSF Inspector General Sonali Mishra.

The 28-year-old slain constable hails from Langritar village in Bihar’s Jamui district. He had joined the BSF in 2013.

The ceasefire violation in Tangdhar took place a day after Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire at Churanda in Baramulla district’s Uri sector. Three civilians were injured in the Pakistani firing at Churanda on Monday. Unlike Jammu, where the ceasefire violations have claimed many lives, the LoC in Kashmir has remained relatively peaceful.

However, the two truce violations in the past 24 hours have triggered panic among people living in border areas.

Uneasy calm in Uri

A day after Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control, an uneasy calm prevailed in the Uri sector of north Kashmir today.

Residents, however, continue to live in fear as they apprehend the border tension, which has claimed many lives in the Jammu region, may spread to their area as well.

Three persons, including an elderly woman, were injured when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the LoC at Churanda in Uri, 130 km north of Srinagar, in north Kashmir’s Hajipeer Uri sector on Monday evening.

The Srinagar-based defence spokesman on Monday said Indian troops retaliated appropriately to the Pakistani firing. He said unconfirmed reports indicated casualty to Pakistani troops.

Media reports from Pakistan suggested that one boy was killed in the ceasefire violation.

“The firing stopped on Monday evening and there has been no exchange of fire,” a defence official said.

“After the ceasefire violation, the forces are maintaining a high alert as such firing along the LoC is always aimed at helping militants to infiltrate,” the official said.

Residents of Uri said they were living in constant fear as border skirmishes were constantly taking place in the Jammu region. “After Monday’s shelling in Uri, we are really worried,” said a resident of Uri over the phone.