Border Security Forces kill 15 Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory cross-border firing

Jammu: The Border Security Forces have killed at least 15 Pakistani soldiers in the past one week in retaliatory cross border firing, a media report said on Friday.

The fatalities took place after the BSF responded with heavy weapons fire in retaliation to the repeated Pakistani ceasefire violations, the NDTV reported.

Two Pakistani Frontier Force soldiers and 13 Rangers were reportedly killed.

Citing sources, the report said that Indian intelligence agencies have intercepted calls from hospitals asking for help to treat the injured.

"There are ceasefire violations repeatedly, we are giving a befitting reply. As far as our people have seen, what we have assessed is at least 15 rangers have been killed," NDTV quoted Arun Kumar, a senior BSF officer, as saying.

The latest casualty figure comes after the BSF reportedly killed seven Pakistani soldiers along the Border exactly a week ago.

Quoting officials, the report said that cross-border firing has been on for the last 24 hours in Rajouri, Samba, Abdullia, RS Pura and Suchetgarh.

The fresh clashes reportedly erupted after heavy shelling from the Pakistani side that began around 5 am along the Line of Control in Nowshera, Sundarbani and Pallanwala districts.

On Thursday, BSF soldier Jitender Singh died when Pakistani Rangers fired a mortar shell in RS Pura sector.

"Yesterday, unprovoked ceasefire violation continued till night. It again started at three places this morning. We are giving them an appropriate response," the report said quoting Defence Ministry spokesperson Manish Mehta.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday had urged the BSF to give a "fitting response".