Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: A BSF jawan and a girl were killed as Pakistani troops breached border ceasefire and fired on BSF positions and civilian areas along the International Border (IB) in R S Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir while BSF claimed that two Pakistani troops’ mortar positions were damaged in retaliatory firing inflicting heavy casualties on them.

A BSF official said Pakistani troops breached border ceasefire in R S pura, Arnia and Ramgarh sectors in Jammu at around 10.30 pm last night.

He said the Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling on BSF outposts and civilian areas.

“The BSF men guarding the border outposts also returned the fire,” he said.

“A BSF man, who was manning LMG position in the border outpost, was hit by a bullet. He was evacuated to a nearby civil hospital, where he succumbed to injuries,” the official said.

The deceased jawan was identified as Head Constable A Suresh R/o village Bandra Chetty, Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu.

Another jawan has been injured in the Pakistani troops firing. He has been hospitalised.

The official said 17-year-old girl identified as Sabita was also killed in the cross-border firing.

Director General BSF K K Sharma and other top BSF officials attended the wreath laying ceremony of the slain border guard at FTR HQ BSF Camp Paloura, Jammu.

Talking to reporters, Sharma said since India is a peaceful country, they never initiate fire from their side but won’t hesitate to give befitting reply.

He said the border guards also targeted Pakistani troops border outposts after the ceasefire violation last night.

“We targeted two of their mortar positions and feel both have been damaged. We have inflicted heavy casualties on them,” the DG BSF said.

Terming the situation at border as tense, he said, “Pakistani troops are breaching border ceasefire at LoC regularly and have now resorted to unprovoked firing at IB”.

“We are ready to deal with any situation and taken special measures.. We are ready to foil infiltration attempts and meet any challenge to retaliate to their ceasefire violations,” he said.

The DG BSF said he has told his commanders on ground to retaliate with full force to ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops.

“We never start the ceasefire violation but will give strong and befitting response to tee ceasefire violations,” he added.