Jammu: In a major ceasefire violation along the International Border, Pakistani troops targeted 22 Border Security Force posts and several villages last night, killing at least two civilians and injuring four others.

This was the 14th ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the past 12 days.

Pakistani troops targeted the BSF posts and villages in the Arnia and RS Pura sectors using long range mortar shells and heavy to medium machine guns.

Two villagers, identified as Muhammad Akram and his 13-year-old son Aslam were killed and seven people including Akram's wife, his three children and a BSF constable were injured in heavy firing by the Pakistan Rangers in Jodafarm village of RS Pura sector today (Saturday)," a senior police officer told IANS.

All the injured people have been shifted to the Jammu Medical College for treatment.

"Firing by Pakistani troops is still on. The BSF (Border Security Force) has started retaliating," the officer said.

Reports from the area said the Pakistan Rangers were using heavy weapons to target BSF posts.

"They are targeting 17 border outposts of the BSF in RS Pura sector and Arnia sub-sector at the international border."

Forced by Pakistan firing, more than 2,000 villagers from three villages close to the international border in RS Pura sector had on Friday migrated to safer places leaving their homes and cattle behind.

Under the state government's contingency plan, the villagers have been temporarily accommodated in two government high school buildings and an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) building.

All the injured people have been shifted to the Jammu Medical College for treatment.

"Firing by Pakistani troops is still on. The BSF (Border Security Force) has started retaliating," the officer said.

The IANS news agency said that BSF troops took positions and responded with equal calibre weapons which resulted in intermittent exchange of fire.

It added that Pakistan troops had fired mortar bombs which hit several houses in border villages in RS Pura in which one Harnam Singh of Biju village was injured, triggering panic and fear in the area.

This is the 14th ceasefire violation along the Indo-Pak border during the past 12 days, and the 16th ceasefire violation in August.

Authorities have asked Jammu border residents to keep indoors at night along Indo-Pak border in view of the Pak shelling.

With inputs from IANS