Tributes paid to BSF jawan killed in Pakistan firing

The BSF and Jammu and Kashmir Police today paid tributes to a jawan who was killed in unprovoked firing along the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in the Arnia sector.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held for constable Sitaram Upadhyay (28), who hailed from Giridih in Jharkhand, at the BSF Frontier headquarters.

Jammu and Kashmir's Housing and Urban Development Minister Sat Sharma; Divisional Commissioner of Jammu Hemant Kumar; senior BSF, CRPF and police officials paid floral tributes to Upadhyay.

Constable Upadhyay made the supreme sacrifice while defending the country's sanctity, Inspector General of the BSF, Jammu Frontier, Ram Awtar, said.

Upadhyay was martyred amid heavy firing from Pakistan at 0135 hours today while valiantly responding from the duty point at the IB, the IG said.

The constable, who joined the force in 2011, is survived by a three-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter.

BSF has a history of bravery and is always committed to maintaining the sanctity of the IB and safety of the border population, Awtar said.

The brave act (by Upadhyay) has once again proved that the men on the border are always ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation's security, he said.

Awtar reiterated that as the peaceful country, India never initiates fire, but will never hesitate to give a befitting reply if it is compelled.