BSF guns down Pak national near border

Chandigarh, March 5

A 40-year-old Pakistani national was shot dead today by BSF troops near the Indo-Pak border in the Gurdaspur sector, a BSF official said.

BSF troops noticed suspicious movement near the border fence at the Ghaniake border outpost, the official said.

The Pakistani man crossed the border fence and entered Indian territory. BSF troops challenged him, but he did not stop, he said. The troops then opened fire and killed him, the official said.

Pakistani Rangers have been contacted for handing over the body, he said. It is suspected that he was mentally challenged and had crossed over inadvertently.

In December 23 last year, a Pakistani intruder was shot dead by BSF troops near the Wadhai Cheema border outpost under Ajnala. His two accomplices had escaped.

The troops had found Rs 377 in Pakistani currency, a lighter, two matchboxes, a rope and news clippings from the spot.

In January, a Pakistani national was shot dead by BSF personnel near Kakkar Rania outpost in Amritsar district. He had been identified as Basharat Ali of Miayani Maqboolpura in Sheikhupura district. — Agencies