Indian forces on late Wednesday night inflicted heavy casualties and smashed at least two mortar positions of Pakistan Rangers in strong retaliatory action along the International Border opposite Samba sector to avenge loss of life of BSF head constable in ‘unprovoked’ ceasefire violation.
Hours later alert BSF troops foiled an infiltration bid in Arnia sub sector of RS Pura early Thursday morning by eliminating an ‘unarmed’ intruder close to the barbed wire fence. BSF jawans had earlier noticed suspicious movement of an intruder around 5.45 a.m in the same sector.
Taking advantage of the foggy weather conditions an intruder had sneaked inside the Indian territory when he was challenged by the BSF troopers and later fired upon in which he was killed around 7 am. He was believed to be either part of the big group of infiltrators or was one of their local guide.
Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier Ram Awtar after paying tributes to martyred BSF jawan RP Hazra at BSF headquarters on Thursday told reporters, “BSF jawans gave ‘solid response’ to unprovoked firing from the Pakistani side of the border late Wednesday night”.
He, however, refused to confirm the total number of Pakistan Rangers killed in retaliatory action. “We have inflicted heavy damage inside their posts. We destroyed their weapons, solar panels and inflicted injuries”, he added.
“Post injury to BSF trooper Head Constable RP Hazra from unprovoked fire by Pakistan forces on Jammu IB in Samba sector yesterday, the retaliation continued till late night,” the BSF said in a separate written statement on Thursday.
The unprovoked firing from Pakistan side started first from small arms and later they used automatics coupled with mortar shellings. “BSF troopers consolidated their positions, located and marked Pakistan firing positions and started precision targeted fire. Two Pakistan mortar positions were located, targeted and destroyed by BSF troopers wednesday night only. The coordinated precision fire of BSF troopers silenced Pakistan guns,” the BSF said in a statement.
Senior BSF officers suspected fresh round of firing along the International Border could be a deliberate tactic by Pakistan to provide cover fire to intruding terrorists.
IG BSF Ram Awtar also confirmed the latest intelligence reports of movement of infiltrators along the International border. “There are inputs that there is movement of militants and accordingly, we have declared ‘Ops Alert’ on the border”.
Earlier,the BSF gave a military send off by organising Wreath-laying ceremony at Frontier headquarters here in the honour of the late Head Constable Radha Pada Hazara, who was killed in sniper firing by Pakistan rangers along the IB in Samba sector on Wednesday. J&K DGP SP Vaid, IGP Jammu Zone and SD Singh attended the ceremony along with the other senior officers and Jawans of BSF. “It is because of that alertness, that they have acted like that (resorting to sniper firing). The moral of the BSF is high and will continue to remain high,” the IG said.
Due to fresh flare up of tensions along the International Border the local police authorities in Samba and Hiranagar had taken certain precautionary measures including shifting of women and children to safer places in mobile bullet proof bunkers to ensure their safety.