Ahead of the now cancelled Foreign Secretary-level talks between the neighbouring countries on August 25, Pakistani Rangers on Sunday night further escalated border tensions by targeting at least 17 Border outposts of BSF in Arnia and RS Pura sectors of Jammu injuring one civilian and inflicting fatal injuries to livestock owned by border residents in the area.
This was the 14th incident of ceasefire violation along the International border in last ten days. According to official sources, the heavy volume firing continued through out the Sunday night between 12.45 am and 6.30 am across the border belt of Arnia and RS Pura. Intensity of the border shelling spread panic in the area as people ran for safety inside concrete bunkers.
Agitated over the repeated incidents of ceasefire violations for last ten days, large number of local villagers staged protest demonstration against the Pakistan Government and burnt their national flag in RS Pura area. Several villages falling in the direct line of fire of Pakistani Rangers bore the brunt of lethal use of fire power which destroyed several civilian structures and injured their livestock.
Indian establishment has taken serious note of the heavy shelling by Pakistani Rangers in the civilian areas. According to field reports, BSF jawans retaliated the fire effectively using similar calibre of weapons. Reports from Pakistan claimed two Pakistani Rangers were injured along with one civilian in strong retaliation by the Indian border guards.
Reports suggest at least 12 Border posts in the Arnia sub-sector and five posts in the RS Pura sector were targeted by the Pakistani Rangers. One civilian identified as Attar Singh was injured in the cross-border firing near Pindi border post. Treva and Pindi villages in Arnia sub-sector were the worst hit in the shelling. local villagers in the border areas claimed that for last 10 days Pakistani Rangers have been targeting the civilian areas and making it difficult for them to lead their normal lives. The villagers demanded firm action against the Pakistani Rangers and urged the Government to provide safe shelters to the border residents. Meanwhile, BSF Rangers have also beefed-up their defences in the wake of regular exchange of fire.