SRINAGAR: A civilian was killed and two others, including a BSF jawan were injured when Pakistani troops on Tuesday breached the ceasefire, targeting at least 16 border outposts (BOPs) along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as 22-year-old Sanjay Kumar.
BSF spokesman in Jammu Vinod Kumar told Express that Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing on the BOPs along the IB in Kanachak, Pargwal Tawi and R S Pura sectors in Jammu province at 5.30 am. “The Pakistani troops targeted at least 16 BOPs. They fired mortar shells and used small and heavy weapons. The firing and shelling continued till 2.30 pm,” he said.
According to the spokesman, Pakistani troops targeted 10-11 BOPs along the IB in Kanchak, Pargwal and Tawi sectors and five in R S Pura sector,in which the BSF man sustained injuries.
“Our men effectively returned the fire using similar calibre weapons,” he said.
A BSF official said it was one of the major ceasefire violations by the “enemy” troops in recent times. He said they (Pakistani troops) also restored to heavy firing and mortar shelling on civilian areas along the IB in Kanachak, Pargwal and R S Pura sectors. “A mortar shell fired by them landed in Hamirpur Kona along the IB in Pargwal sector, which was a civilian area, killing Sanjay Kumar,” he said.
The official said that another civilian was injured in the Pakistani shelling in Pargwal area and he had been admitted to hospital.
In another development, the BSF men foiled an infiltration bid by militants along the IB in Kanachak sector.
“Two militants were seen moving suspiciously during the night and again early on Tuesday along the IB. The BSF men opened fire on them forcing them to retreat to the other side of the IB,” the BSF official said, adding that the militants’ aim was to inflict casualties on security forces and civilians.
The official said the BSF jawans had been put on maximum alert to meet any challenge.