Heavy border shelling a day after BSF strike

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 22

Hours after the Border Security Force said it had killed seven Pakistani Rangers and a terrorist yesterday, Pakistani forces resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling on the International Border (IB) during the night in which six cattle were killed in Suchetgarh sector.

The ceasefire violation, witnessed all along the 198-km-long IB of the Jammu frontier, continued till 2 am. 

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Heavy shelling was witnessed in Korotana and Bidhipur villages of Suchetgarh sector and around Abdullah and octroi border outposts (BOPs) where the administration advised people to stay indoors. The BSF said it gave a befitting response to the unprovoked fire from the Pakistan side. Pakistan forces used 60 and 82 mm mortars.

With escalation in tension on the IB, the Jammu district administration ordered the closure of 55 to 80 schools in the border areas.

“People have been advised to stay indoors during the day as there is a likelihood of shelling during day time also. SDMs have been told to close schools in vulnerable areas,” Simrandeep Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, said. 

Ever since the Army conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control on September 28, it has been witnessing heavy shelling and firing at regular intervals. The International Border had remained peaceful, till an infiltration bid was foiled by the BSF at Bobiyan border outpost in the Hiranagar sector on Thursday. This was followed by ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces, and strong retaliation by the BSF.