READ ALSO:

Pakistani Rangers violate ceasefire again, kill BSF jawan

Fear returns to haunt border villagers, over 10,000 flee

BSF DG to visit border areas

NEW DELHI/JAMMU: Pakistan Rangers continued mortar shelling and firing at Border Security Force ( BSF ) positions in Kathua and Samba districts throughout Monday night.A BSF jawan was killed and a woman critically injured on Monday in mortar shelling by Pakistan on the international border in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.The Border Security Force (BSF) constable - identified as Davinder Kumar of the 9th battalion - was killed in shelling by the Pakistan Rangers on Khawada post, a police official said.The woman, identified as Shibo Devi, wife of Dewan Chand and a resident of Baingalard village in Samba, was hit by a mortar splinter.Four Pak rangers killed in retaliatory BSF firing(A file photo of Indian jawans on patrol at the Line of Control.)The situation along the border in Samba and Kathua has become grim as the Pakistani side resorted to heavy mortar shelling, killing a BSF jawan in Samba sector, after a day of eerie silence.The number of people abandoning their homes in border villages of Jammu and Kashmir crossed 10,000 on Tuesday amid heightened tension following Pakistan shelling on the international border that killed a trooper on Monday."Following indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas along the international border by Pakistan yesterday (Monday), more people have abandoned their homes close to the border in Samba and Kathua districts," a senior official said here."The number of villagers lodged in makeshift accommodations at safer places has crossed 10,000 and their migration is continuing today (Tuesday)," the official added.BSF director general D K Pathak is rushing to border areas along the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of heavy shelling from Pakistan which left a trooper dead and caused damage to civilian infrastructure.Officials said Pathak also briefed home minister Rajnath Singh on Monday evening about the incidents of heavy mortar shelling across the international border.They said the Border Security Force chief will visit the forward areas in Samba-Kathua areas on Tuesday even as he is expected to review defence prepardness along the IB which has been continuously witnessing incidents of ceasefire violations since December 31.The BSF DG, during his visit, will also pay his respect to the mortal remains of trooper Davinder Kumar who was martyred on Monday after a Pakistani mortar splinter hit him inside his bunker in Samba sector.Four security personnel and a woman have been killed in the Pakistan shelling and firing during the last one week, officials had said, adding, five Pakistani Rangers and a girl were killed in retaliatory firing from the Indian side.(With inputs from PTI, IANS)