Pak violates ceasefire again, fires at Indian posts in Samba

Heavy exchange of fire erupted on the border as Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire yet again this morning--the eight in the last four days--targeting Indian Border posts in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

"There was firing by Pakistani Rangers on Narianpur Border Out Post (BoP) in Ramgarh forward area in Samba district around 0730 hours", a BSF officer said.

 

The firing came from Ashraf post of Pakistan. BSF troops guarding the border line retaliated effectively, resulting in exchanges, he said.

 

There was no loss of life or injury to any one in the firing from Pakistan, the officer said, adding that in view of the firing, troops have been put on alert.

 

In view of the escalation in the border tension due to firing and ceasefire violations, BSF Director General Subash Joshi yesterday visited forward areas along the International Border in Jammu and reviewed the security situation there.

 

Joshi held a discussion on the current scenario along the IB in Jammu and discussed operational issues with his field commanders.Their focus was on the increasing instances of ceasefire violations and sniper strikes by Pakistan forces.

 

This is fourth ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the past 36 hours and the eight in past four days. 

Pakistani troops had fired at Indian posts along LoC in Hamirpur and Balakote forward areas in Mendhar sub-sector of Poonch district at 9.20 PM last night. The firing continued till 6 AM today, Defence Spokesman S N Acharya said.

 

Pakistani Rangers had also fired small arms on Kothay Border Out Post along IB in Samba district at 1930 hours yesterday, a BSF officer said.

 

On August 12, Pakistani troops had opened heavy fire using mortars, rockets and small arms on 11 Indian forward posts along the LoC in Digwar, Mankote and Durga Battalion areas.

 

On August 11, a BSF jawan was injured in Pakistani firing at Alfa Machial forward Posts along Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu.

 

Pakistani troops had targeted several Indian Posts by firing 7000 rounds of heavy ammunition and mortar shells in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on August 10.

 

On August 5, Head Constable BSF Ram Niwas Meena of 200th Battalion was injured in sniper firing on Narainpur BoP area in Samba district.

 

Meena, who suffered bullet injury in Chest, died in AIIMS in New Delhi on August 11.

 

On August six, a group of 20 heavily armed men led by Pakistani troops had entered 450 metres into the Indian territory in the Poonch sector and ambushed a patrol killing five Indian soldiers.