Seven Pak rangers, one militant killed in retaliatory firing by BSF on Jammu border

New Delhi: In reply to a sniper attack by Pakistani Rangers, the BSF on Friday launched an aggressive 'weapon firing', killing one militant and seven Pakistani Rangers in Jammu and Kashmir'ss Hira Nagar sector.

In the intervening night of October 19-20, BSF troops foiled an infiltration bid in Bobiyan village of Hira Nagar Sector, in which one militant was killed.

In the same area on Friday, Pakistani Rangers targeted a BSF post in which BSF Constable Gurnam Singh was critically injured, ANI reported.

At least seven Pakistani Rangers were also killed in a retaliatory firing.

The injured constable was evacuated to the Jammu Government Medical College. His condition remains to be critical, the report said.

The BSF said the forces are on high alert along international boundary and ready to foil any infiltration attempt.

Early on Thursday morning, Pakistan had resorted to ceasefire violation in Bhimer Gali sector of Rajouri and in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.

This comes after a spree of ceasefire violations last week by Pakistan after the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army on 29 September to destroy terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Ever since, Pakistan has stepped up cross-border firing and has violated the Line of Control ceasefire at least 20 times.

Today's exchange of fire came a day after BSF foiled an infiltration bid by 4-6 militants, aided by cover fire by the Pakistani troops, in Bobiyan village of the same Hira Nagar Sector.

At least one militant was injured or killed in that action by BSF during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday as he was seen being dragged by his associates.

Earlier in the day, BSF Inspector General (Jammu) Frontier D K Uphadayaya said the ceasefire violations by Pakistani Rangers had taken place in two sectors.

There were two ceasefire violations by Pakistani Rangers in Bobiya in Hira

Nagar sector of Kathua district and Pargwal belt of Akhnoor sector of Jammu district today.

"We are replying in a befitting manner. We have inflicted heavy losses to them," he said.

He said troops are on alert and mechanism is put in place to foil any attack by Border Action Teams (BATs) of Pakistan.

"You cannot take any chances. The guard is up. Troops are alert and vigilant and keeping a close watch. It is because of this alertness that we have foiled the infiltration bid," the IG said.

"Yesterday night fire was expected and they have retaliated and in this, one of our jawans has been injured. But we have also given the befitting reply and effected heavy loses on them," the BSF official said.

"They not only failed to infiltrate into this side but have also lost their lives and I have come to known through sources that one among them has been killed. They came back and befitting reply was given to them," he said.

He said the terrorists are desperate to infiltrate into India and that is why they are trying time and again.

"Jammu is their main target to do some damage over here, which we will not allow. The morale of troops is very very high," he said, adding, "For me, IB is always very sensitive. We will have to be in strong position to give them befitting reply the way they want the reply."