BSF retaliates after civilian deaths, 14 Pakistani posts destroyed, two Pak Rangers killed

The BSF destroyed 14 Pakistani posts and shot dead at least two Pak Rangers in a massive fire assault in Arnia sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Jammu: The Border Security Forces (BSF) on Tuesday damaged at least 14 Pakistan Rangers posts along the International Border (IB) in a befitting reply to fresh ceasefire violations earlier in the day by the Pakistani side that left eight civilians dead in Jammu and Kashmir.

"In the wake of the fresh ceasefire violations by Pakistan Rangers at several places in Jammu and Kashmir, we gave them a befitting reply and damaged several of their posts," Border Security Force spokesperson Subhendu Bhardwaj told IANS.

"BSF gave a calibrated retaliation on International Border in response to unprovoked firing and shelling of Pakistan Rangers in area of Ramgarh and Arnia Sectors since morning," its DIG Dharmendra Pareek said.

"Since morning, BSF targeted Pakistan Rangers' posts across IB in the same sector and caused heavy damage to 14 Pakistani Posts," he said.

Earlier, Army sources said two Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory firing along LoC opposite to Naushera sector of Rajouri district today.

Since early morning, Pakistan troops resorted to heavy shelling of hamlets and military posts in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in the state.

The Pakistani troops used heavy calibre weapons like 120 mm and 82 mm mortar bombs, army said.

"At least eight civilians died and nine others were injured in the shelling in Ramgarh sector of Samba district today," Deputy Commissioner of Samba Sheetal Nanda told PTI.

One person died due to shock during shelling in the same area, raising the toll of those killed in the area to six, she said.

While three of the injured were given treatment in Ramgarh hospital, the rest were shifted to GMC hospital in Jammu, she said.

The casualties took place during shelling in Jarda and Rangoor camp villages along the IB in Ramgarh sector.

Along the LoC, two women were killed in firing and shelling by Pakistani troops in Panjgrian border hamlet in Manjakote belt of Rajouri district, Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri Shabir Ahmed Bhat said.

Earlier, Defence PRO Lt Col Manish Mehta said Pakistani troops indulged in unprovoked ceasefire violation along the LoC in Naushera sector of Rajouri district from 05:30 hours using small arms, automatics, 82 and 120 mm mortars.

There have been more that 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC and IB in the state since surgical strikes against terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.