A jawan of Border Security Force (BSF) was martyred while another civilian received bullet injuries in fresh exchange of cross border firing along the International Border in Arnia sub sector of Jammu frontier in the wee hours of Friday.
The firing, which started shortly after Thursday midnight, continued till Friday morning in which several civilian areas were hit by mortars. At least half a dozen BSF posts were targeted by the Pak rangers along with several forward villages in the area.
This is the fifth ceasefire violation by Pakistan in six days, and the third consecutive day of such violations.
To prevent further loss of life and property the local authorities early morning ordered closure of all educational institutions(private and Government) within 5 km radius of International border.
Several houses falling in the direct line of fire and live stock bore the maximum brunt of indiscriminate firing. The window panes were damaged and four walls of these houses tell tale of signs of destruction.
Senior BSF officers of Jammu frontier rushed to the spot to take stock of the prevailing situation and directed the local commanders to give befitting reply to Pak rangers. Sensing mood of the angry border residents several local politicians mobilised their workers to extend help to the affected population in the border villages.
Senior State Government functionaries along with police officers also rushed to the border villages affected by mortar shelling from across the border. The border residents were advised to stay alert in the coming days as Pakistan was desperately looking for an opportunity to push trained infiltrators to carry out major terror strike.
According to BSF spokesman of Jammu frontier, “the martyred jawan has been identified as BSF Constable Brijendra Bahadur Singh. The BSF constable was hit on the left side of abdomen and succumbed to his fatal injuries while he was being evacuated.
Bahadur, 32, hailed from Vidya Bhawan Naraypur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Balia district. He is survived by his wife Sushmita Singh.
BSF officers said Pak rangers used mortars, automatics and small arms to target over half a dozen BSF posts in Arnia.
Senior BSF officers and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh along with local MlA and State BJP chief Sat Sharma paid homage to the martyred jawan before dispatching his mortal remains to his home State at frontier headquarters.