1 soldier, 2 civilians killed in ceasefire violations by Pakistan

Srinagar: An Indian Army soldier on Saturday died in a ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan Rangers initiated the unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms and automatics from 8.20 am.

#WATCH: Residents of border areas in RS Pura sector flee as Pakistan continues to violate ceasefire. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/4ms81vkov0 — ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2018

The soldier has been identified as Mandeep Singh. 23-year-old Singh hailed from Alampur Village in Punjab's Sangroor district. He is survived by his father Gurnaam Singh.

In separate incidents of ceasefire violations today, two civilians died and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was injured in RS Pura and Akhnoor sectors of J&K.

On Friday, a BSF jawan and an Indian Army soldier died in a ceasefire violation at the border amid reports of heavy shelling and firing along the International Border in J&K.

Following the cross-border firing yesterday, the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah was summoned by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He was conveyed government's grave concerns at the continued ceasefire violations and deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by Pakistan forces.

The violations of ceasefire by Pakistan Rangers yesterday had also left two civilians dead and three others injured.

The BSF jawan, who succumbed to his injuries, was identified as Head Constable Jagpal Singh while the Indian Army soldier was identified as Lance Naik Sam Abraham.

Today is the third consecutive day of ceasefire violation by the Pakistani troops. All schools in areas close to the International Border have been shut down.

On Friday, at least 11 civilians were injured in various areas of J&K as Pakistan violated ceasefire along the LoC.

Two civilians were injured in the ceasefire violation in Ramgarh sector, five in Hiranagar sector in Kathua and four in RS Pura sector in the Valley.

The BSF personnel had also launched a massive retaliatory firing.

(With inputs from agencies)