Two Civilians injured as Pak targets 9 BoPs, hamlets along IB

Jammu: Pakistan resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling at nine Indian Border Outposts (BoPs) and civilian areas in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir injuring two persons in ceasefire violations for the second straight day on Saturday that were resumed after over a month-long lull.
The Border Security Force(BSF) retaliated effectively to the firing by Pakistan Rangers in which a school bus, a private minibus and tractor were also damaged and some cattle heads killed or injured, security officials said.
A civilian was killed and two others were injured last evening when Pakistani troops indulged in heavy firing along the International Border(IB) in Mangu Chak border outpost.
“Pak Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing on BSF posts along the IB in Samba sector from 2025 hours last night”, a BSF officer said today, adding BSF troops carried out effective retaliation.
The Rangers fired on nine BoPs of BSF along IB in areas between River Basantar and River Treva in Samba sector, he said, adding that they used 82, 82 and 51 mm mortar bombs at few places along the IB.
BSF troops retaliated resulting in exchanges which continued till 0220 hours on Saturday, he said, adding that there was no loss of life to BSF troops.
Two villagers identified as Surinder and Rohit were injured and hospitalised in the mortar shelling, a police officer said.
Several villages, particularly Sujanpur, Mawa, Bhati and Bobiya were hit by mortar shells, the officer said, adding, a school bus, private mini bus and tractor also suffered damages.
The ceasefire violations by Pakistan, which were almost a routine affair for several weeks, had stopped after the Director General (DG)-level talks between BSF and Pakistan Rangers in Delhi on September 12.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has expressed grief over the death of one person and injuries to others in the fresh spate of firing from across the border in Samba sector. The chief minister has conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul, an official spokesperson said in Srinagar. Sayeed also prayed for speedy recovery to those injured in the firing.
The chief minister also expressed hope that the agreement reached between the India and Pakistan for maintaining peace on International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) will be respected, the spokesperson said. (PTI)