NEW DELHI: The tension along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir has escalated after Pakistani troops fired from heavy weapons and resorted to mortar shelling on security forces posts and civilian areas along Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu province on Friday, killing two civilians including a woman.
The BSF said the border guards have killed 15 Pakistani Rangers personnel in the retaliatory firing.
A BSF spokesman said the Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked heavy firing and shelling on at least 25 BSF border posts and civilian areas in many sectors along the IB in Hira Nagar, Kathua and Samba from 5.20 pm yesterday till 5 am today.
He said the Pakistani troops fired from heavy weapons and also fired 80 mm and 120 mm mortar shells to target the BSF posts and civilian areas. “Some of the mortar shells fired landed in the civilian areas”.
“The BSF men gave befitting reply to the Pakistani troops. They targeted the posts of Pakistani troops and some of them suffered extensive damage in our firing,” the BSF official said.
Defence sources said the Pakistani troops also resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling in Sunderbani, Pallanwala, Naushera, Mendhar, Balakote sectors along the LoC in Jammu province.
“The Pakistani troops fired from small arms and automatic weapons. They also fired 82 mm and 120 mm mortar shells towards our positions and civilian areas,” they said.
According to them, army also effectively returned the fire and shelling from similar caliber weapons.
“The cross-border firing and shelling was going on in Mendhar and Balakote sectors when reports last poured in,” they said.
According to official, a young boy identified as Ajay son of Rattan Chand was killed in Pakistani troops shelling in Gigiryal, Khour belt of Palanwala sector in Jammu district.
They said the boy was sitting near close to the window of his house when a mortar shell fired by Pakistani troops hit his house, causing his death.
The official said a 50-year-old woman Isma Begum was killed in Pakistani troops firing in Gohlad village in Mendhar sector of Poonch district.
He said another civilian was injured in Pakistani troops firing in R S Pura sector. The injured boy has been hospitalized.
BSF Additional Director General Arun Kumar told reporters in Jammu that troops were giving befitting reply to the Pakistani shelling and firing.
"At least 15 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in retaliatory firing and shelling by BSF. We have destroyed many of their outposts and damage to these posts is visible," he said.
Pakistani troops have been resorting to near daily firing and shelling on security forces posts and civilian areas along the IB and LoC after army’s surgical strikes on militant launch pads across the LoC.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu Simrandeep Singh told Express that there is no pattern to the Pakistan shelling and firing.
“They (Pakistani troops) are firing and shelling at random. Entire IB and LoC in Jammu district is involved in shelling. At some places, it takes in the evening and in some other areas, it is taking place in the morning and day,” he said.
Singh said people, who are stuck in their homes, have been advised people to stay indoors.
“There is no safe time. Today, the boy who was killed was in open. He was in a house. He was in a vulnerable place and near the window. We have told people to follow the advisory,” he said adding they have been advised to take shelter in a safer area under the hard roof and away from opening including windows, doors, verandas.
Asked whether the government has evacuated border residents, Singh said, “Only in most difficult circumstances, we are evacuating people and, that too after using some kind of specialized vehicles, which can withstand the shelling. It is used when people are caught in heavy shelling”.
He said people of some border areas have moved on their own to safer places. “They are taking refuge at their relatives’ places”.
“The government has not evacuated any people so far,” Singh said adding they have set up many camps for people, who are leaving their places.
He said 15 camps are functional but people mostly prefer to stay with their relatives.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said war is no solution to the problem and that Pakistan should initiate dialogue for peace.
“Jung kisi masley ka hal nahin hai, ultimately humein dosti kar leni chahiye (War is no solution, ultimately we have to form a friendly relationship). Pakistan should initiate dialogue instead of indulging in cross border firing,” she said while addressing a function in Udhampur.
Mehbooba said India and Pakistan need to sit together like civilised nations and talk. “I think there is a need for Pakistan to take the initiative”.
“It is not for first time that cross border firing is taking place. We have seen many wars with Pakistan from 1947 to 1999 Kargil war. But wars, cross fire and cease violations don’t remain forever. Ultimately, we have to live in peace with each other,” she said.