JAMMU: Four civilians and a BSF man were killed while 12 others were injured in cross-border shelling in Jammu early today, officials said.
This is the third day of shelling and firing along the IB in Jammu frontier and comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow.
Pakistan Rangers shelled areas in R S Pura, Bishnah and Arnia sectors of Jammu by resorting to heavy mortar shelling and firing since 0100 hours in R S Pura, Bishnah sectors, a senior BSF officer told PTI.
BSF troops guarding the borderline retaliated, he said.
The slain trooper was identified as 28-year-old constable Sitaram Upadhyaya of 192 Battalion. He was critically injured at Jabowal BoP around 0130 hours and died en route to GMC Hospital in Jammu.
An Assistant Sub Inspector of BSF also suffered a splinter injury at Pittal BoP, the officer said adding that he has been admitted to a hospital.
In the heavy shelling in R S Pura and Arnia sectors, four civilians including a couple were killed and 12 others injured, Additional District Development Commissioner Arun Manhas told PTI.
SDPO, R S Pura, Sahil Prashur said police is using bullet-proof vehicles to evacuate the injured to the hospital and is reaching out to the people in shelling-hit zones.
In view of the shelling, the administration has activated the shelter set up.
However, there was a lull in the shelling in Kathua and Samba districts. “There was no firing and shelling from across the border since yesterday in Kathua and Samba districts”, the officer said.
Yesterday, a BSF man was among two persons injured when Pakistan Rangers opened fire and lobbed mortars at over 15 border outposts (BOPs) and some civilian areas along the International Border in Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
On May 15, a 28-year-old BSF man was killed in cross-border firing along the International Border in Samba sector.