Two killed in Pakistan firing in Jammu, border peaceful now

Two people were killed and seven others injured early Saturday in heavy firing by Pakistan Rangers on the Border Security Force posts near the international border in Jammu district, officials said. Firing exchanges on the border have now stopped.

Jammu Divisional Commissioner Shantanu told IANS that firing stopped in the R.S.Pura and Arnia sectors of the international border in Jammu district in the afternoon.

"Firing stopped in these areas in the afternoon. About 1,000 people who left their villages close to the international border yesterday (Friday) are still camped in contingency accommodations provided by the state government.

"We are hopeful of their return to their villages soon. However, our contingency plans are ready to meet any eventuality in the future.

"We have around 25 villages those are close to the international border in Arnia area and contingency plans are in place to provide relief to these people if an emergency arises," he said.

A police officer earlier told IANS that two villagers, identified as Muhammad Akram and his 13-year-old son Aslam were killed and seven people including Akram's wife, his three children and a BSF constable were injured in heavy firing by the Pakistan Rangers in Jodafarm village of R.S. Pura sector.

All the injured people have been shifted to the Jammu Medical College for treatment.

The BSF had retaliated to the firing with heavy weapons on its 17 border outposts in R.S. Pura sector and Arnia sub-sector.

Forced by Pakistan firing, more than 2,000 villagers from three villages close to the international border in R.S. Pura sector had Friday migrated to safer places leaving their homes and cattle behind.

Under the state government's contingency plan, the villagers have been temporarily accommodated in two government high school buildings and an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) building.

The divisional commissioner also held a meeting of senior officials including inspectors general of state police, BSF, senior officials of the intelligence agencies and provincial adminsitration in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, authorities have suspended the superintendent of the industrial training institute (ITI) R.S. Pura for her failure to unlock the gates of the ITI for the villagers Friday evening who had migrated to safety from three villages close to the international border in Arnia.