BSF trooper killed in Pakistani firing in J&K

A Border Security Force (BSF) trooper was killed and six others, including a BSF officer and five civilians, were injured in Pakistan firing on the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling on the IB in Jammu's R.S.Pura, Bishnah and Arnia sectors, sources in the BSF said.

"Constable Sitaram Upadhya posted at the Jabowal border outpost was injured. He was being shifted to hospital but succumbed to his injuries en route," the BSF sources said.

"An assistant sub-inspector also sustained splinter injuries in Pakistan shelling on the Pittal border outpost," they added.

"Five civilians have been injured in R.S.Pura and Arnia sectors in Jammu district. The injured have b een shifted to hospital," a police officer said.

The BSF retaliated strongly and effectively at all these places as the internittent firing exchanges between the two sides continued.

The police also said bullet proof vehicles were being used to evacuate civilians from areas close to the IB in the R.S.Pura, Bishnah and Arnia sectors.

Ceasefire violation by Pakistan continued for the third consecutive day on Friday.

During the last two days, Pakistan rangers violated ceasefire in Kathua and Samba districts.

Escalation of tensions on the IB in the state comes a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his daylong visit to the state on Saturday.

--IANS

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