Soldier killed in Pakistani firing in Jammu

An Indian soldier was killed in targeted sniper fire by the Pakistan Army in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, army sources here said on Thursday. Pakistan on Thursday evening fired again at Indian positions on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch, following which India retaliated.

"A soldier was killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Krishna Ghati sector of the LoC yesterday (Wednesday)," a defence source told IANS.

Sepoy Rachpal Singh, of 22 Sikh, was guarding a post at the LoC when he was shot at by a sniper from the other side of the border. He was critically wounded and succumbed to his injury later.

Ceasefire violations by Pakistan have been rampant along the LoC, becoming a bone of contention between the two countries.

On Wednesday, the Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire twice in Machil sector of Kupwara district.

Wednesday's incident was not the first of a Pakistani sniper shooting at Indian soldiers.

Earlier this month, BSF constable Krishna Kumar Dubey, posted in Karam post in Uri area of Baramula sector, was hit in his right eye by a bullet from across the border.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said there have been 199 ceasefire violations along the border till June 30, in which two soldiers and two civilians were killed.