BSF officer, civilian injured in Jammu firing

A BSF officer and a civilians were injured in heavy shelling and firing by the Pakistan Rangers on the International Border (IB) in Jammu district, police said on Wednesday.

"Two persons including a Border Security Force (BSF) assistant sub-inspector and a civilian were injured in the nightlong Pakistan shelling and firing," a police officer said.

Pakistan Rangers resorted to indiscriminate mortar shelling and automatic gunfire during the night in R.S. Pura sector, the official said.

"The BSF has effectively retaliated. The firing exchanges are still on in the area," the officer said.

Meanwhile, villagers living in areas close to the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts were spending nights in concrete bunkers close to their homes.

Fearing further escalation of hostilities on the borders, many villagers in Arnia and Akhnoor have harvested their half ripe crops.

"We are continuing to brave the danger for our cattle and crops," said Bodhraj, 65, a resident of R.S. Pura sector, adding "It is already becoming unbearable in our village as shells start raining here from the sky all through the night."

--IANS

sq/in/rn