Pakistani troopers open fire at five places on Kashmir border

Pakistan Rangers opened unprovoked firing at five places in Akhnoor and R.S. Pura sectors of the international border in Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir Friday evening, setting off intermittent exchange of gunfire, a BSF official said.

"Pakistan Rangers indulged in heavy shelling and small arms firing in Nikkowal area of R.S. Pura sector and Mal Jodha, Najwa, Mad Kulla and Pargwal areas of Akhnoor sector today (Friday) evening," a Border Security Force (BSF) officer told IANS.

"Our troops have retaliated strongly. The firing started at 6.30 p.m. this evening and intermittent firing exchanges were continuing at these places on the international border till reports last came in (around 8.00 p.m)," he added.

No damage or casualty occurred on the Indian side.

Two BSF troopers were injured late Thursday night in Pakistani firing on a BSF post in Nikkowal area of R.S. Pura sector.

While one of the injured troopers was admitted to the government medical college hospital in Jammu for specialized treatment, the other trooper sustained minor injuries, according to BSF officials.

While the BSF is posted on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, the army guards the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan in the state.

India has been accusing Pakistan of frequent violations of the bilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the two countries in November 2003.

In Jammu region alone, Pakistan has this year so far violated the ceasefire agreement more than 100 times.

Tension is growing in villages close to the LoC and the international border in Jammu and Kashmir because of trans-border firing this year.

Residents at many such places are reported to have shifted families to safer locations away from the border.