Trooper killed as Pakistan fires at 50 places in Jammu

Heavy firing by Pakistan Rangers at 50 locations along the International Border in the Jammu region has killed one paramilitary trooper and injured eight people, including seven troopers and a civilian. It has also led to the exodus of residents of two border villages.

A senior paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) officer told IANS that Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing using mortars, rockets and automatics to target Indian positions in the Ranbir Singh Pura (R.S.Pura), Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of the International Border.

Residents of two villages situated close to the international border in Ramgarh sector of Samba district in the state migrated from their villages following nightlong shelling and firing by Pakistan Rangers.

"Our troops retaliated strongly to Pakistan firing which started at 8.45 p.m. yesterday (Tuesday) and intermittent firing exchanges continued till this (Wednesday) morning", the BSF officer said.

The martyred BSF trooper has been identified as M.L. Meena, from Rajasthan. The soldier was killed during Pakistan shelling at Chenaz post in Arnia sector because of a direct hit of a mortar shell at a BSF post.

The injured have been shifted to The Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu.

The BSF officer said Pakistan Rangers fired without any provocation at nearly 50 places along the International Border in Jammu region in R.S.Pura, Arnia, Ramgarh, Kanachak and Akhnoor sectors.

Residents of S.M. Pur and Jasso Chak villages, who had returned to their homes following assurances from the district administration in Samba and ruling National Conference leaders, again abandoned their homes.

Eye-witnesses told IANS that mortar shells fired by the Rangers exploded near their homes during the night.

"Taking any further chance would be dangerous. We are moving out," said an eye-witness on phone who did not want to be named.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde made an aerial survey of the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts Tuesday along with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Shinde also held a high-level meeting in Jammu city to review the security situation arising from the frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan.