The Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday lodged strong protests over ‘unprovoked’ firing by the Pakistani Rangers on Indian civilian population and Border posts during the crucial sector commander-level flag meeting held inside Pakistani territory near Inayat post on the International border in RS Pura sector.
The flag meeting which started around 4.30 pm lasted over three and half hours.
The meeting was attended by two DIG rank officers BS Kasana, Rk Gurung and commanding officers of local battalions from the Indian side. Pakistani Rangers were led by Brig Mateen of Chenab Rangers.
According to BSF spokesman, “During the flag meeting, the BSF strongly protested ‘unprovoked’ firing by Pakistani troops from at least 50 posts and targeting of civilian areas with heavy mortar shelling and heavy machine gun fire”.
Firing in the RS Pura and Arnia sector was going on since July 16, 2014 when a BSF jawan Sanjay Dhar was martyred and seven others including 3 BSF jawans were injured.
Following escalation of tension and regular border skirmishes at least 5,000 families were affected in the region and vacated their homes and hearths in search of safe shelters to escape the fury of roaring Pakistani guns.
According to official sources,the BSF officers also countered their Pakistan counterparts led by Brig Mateen with elaborate details of firing in each sector. BSF officers also denied allegations by the Pakistani Rangers that BSF initiated firing. “We vehemently explained that BSF never initiated any kind of fire but retaliated only under compelling circumstances to safeguard precious lives of Indian citizens and their property,” BSF Spokesman clarified.
According to sources, BSF exposed the Pakistani lies by sharing details of ‘unprovoked’ firing from 16 to 20 July and 10 August to 24 August 2014 by more than 50 Pakistani Posts from PP Hussain to PP Jamshaid of 12 CR deployed in area Charwah, Harpal and Chaprar Sector of Pakistan.