Six injured in Pakistan firing along International Border in Jammu, Samba

A policeman said Pakistan Rangers shelled more than 20 border hamlets in the Arnia Sector, injuring six people.
For representational purpose (File | PTI)
For representational purpose (File | PTI)

JAMMU: After a two-day lull in cross-border firing and shelling, Pakistani troops targeted Indian border outposts and villages along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Samba districts today, injuring six civilians, a senior BSF officer said.

The officer said Pakistan targeted more than 15 BoPs tonight. Indian troops retaliated effectively. The exchange of fire is going on intermittently, he said.

Earlier, Pakistani troops shelled Jerdha hamlet in the Ramgarh sector of Samba district, the officer said.

A policeman said Pakistan Rangers shelled more than 20 border hamlets in the Arnia Sector, injuring six people.

Arnia Khurd, Pindi, Kathar, Jabowal, Kol Khurd in the Arnia sector bore the brunt of the shelling.

Several houses were damaged and over a dozen cattle were killed in the firing, the police officer said.

There had been continuous firing and shelling by Pakistani troops along the IB and the Line of Control (LoC) between September 13 and September 18.

A BSF jawan and a civilian were killed and 12 others injured in the shelling and firing by Pakistani troops in Jammu and Poonch districts during the period.

On the intervening night of September 17 and September 18, Pakistan Rangers opened unprovoked firing in Arnia Sector and later resorted to mortar shelling.

The night before, several border outposts and villages in Arnia Sector were targeted by Pakistani troops. Mortar shells reached Arnia town and about a dozen shells exploded in Arnia bus stand, killing a woman and injuring several others.

On September 16, Pakistani troops targeted Indian border outposts and hamlets along the IB in Jammu district.

One temple, two houses and three cowsheds were damaged in the Pakistani firing in Sai, Treva and Jabowl villages. Three livestock were killed in the overnight shelling.

BSF jawan Bijender Bahadur was killed and a villager injured on September 15 when Pakistan troops resorted to firing and shelling along the IB in Arnia sector.

Incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops have increased sharply this year. Till August 1, there have been 285 such actions by the Pakistan army, while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to figures by the Indian Army.

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