After Constable Gurnam Singh another Head Constable of the Border Security Force (BSF) attained martyrdom early on Monday morning, while one minor boy was also killed and 10 others including two BSF personnel and 8 civilians were injured in intense Pakistani shelling on forward border posts and front line villages across Jammu frontier in the last 24 hours.
According to official sources more than two dozen border outposts spread between north of Suchetgarh to Akhnoor were targeted by the Pakistan Rangers throughout the night. Most of the densely populated areas located on the periphery of Jammu city could easily hear the loud thunder of continuous shelling till early Monday morning.
livestock bore the maximum brunt of fire power and perished in large numbers. Till last count more than 50 animals were killed while 180 others received critical splinter/bullet injuries. Several houses and parked vehicles were hit hard by the Pakistani Rangers during the night-long shelling. Roof tops of many single story houses were pierced by 82mm/61 mm mortars. The outer walls of several houses bore the imprint of Pak shelling across RS Pura, Kanachak, Arnia, Akhnoor and Pargwal sectors of Jammu frontier.
Of all the incidents of provocative ceasefire violations this was one of the most grave acts of ceasefire violation after India carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Following sudden escalation of tension Director General of BSF KK Sharma also rushed to Jammu frontier and attended the wreath laying ceremony of BSF Head Constable Sushil Kumar. Without mincing any words DG BSF warned Pakistan in clear cut words, “we will give a befitting reply to Pakistan as our two jawans have been martyred”. DG BSF also took current review of the security situation on the International border with senior officers of Jammu frontier.
According to BSF spokesman, “The BSF head constable Sushil Kumar was present in the forward post in RS Pura area when he received bullet injuries on his chest late sunday night”. It was not clear whether the BSF head constable was wearing bullet proof jacket or not. Bleeding profusely he was shifted to Government Medical college hospital where doctors declared him brought dead around 1.30 am. Sushil Kumar is a native of Pehawa in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
On the other hand six year old minor boy identified as Vicky was killed due to splinter injuries of a mortar shell. According to eyewitness reports the minor boy after spending the long night inside a bunker in lalyal village of Kanachak stepped out of the bunker to play when he was hit by a splinter. He died on the spot. He was son of a migrant labourer Varinder Kumar from Bihar.
Another BSF officer identified as ASI RD Puri was injured in the heavy exchange of fire at Abdullian post. ASI Puri of 127 Battalion hails from Sivan district in Bihar. The 48-year-old officer has been admitted at GMCH in Jammu. Another BSF jawan Ayyappa Babu of 33 Battalion also suffered bullet injuries in his left leg at a post in Chenab River area in Pargwal sector. Eight civilians received bullet/splinter injuries and were undergoing treatment in GMC, Jammu.
Several families from forward villages moved to safer locations to prevent any loss of life while large number of schools remained closed to ensure safety of school children.
Meanwhile, last rites of Constable Gurnam Singh were performed in his native village of RS Pura. Several hundred people including state politicians were present at the cremation ceremony to pay homage to the brave heart.