Jammu: BSF jawan killed on his birthday as Pakistan violates ceasefire yet again in Samba sector

A BSF jawan was killed after Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing on Wednesday in Jammu’s Samba sector along the Line of Control. (File)

A Border Security Force head constable was killed on Wednesday evening following unprovoked mortar shelling and small arms fire as Pakistani rangers and the troops resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling and small arms fire on forward Indian positions both along the international border and Line of Control in Jammu region.

Identifying the deceased as Head Constable R P Hazra of Murshidabad in West Bengal, sources said that today happened to be the birthday of the deceased as well. He got injured in Rajpura area of Samba district following a sniper fire from across the border, sources said, adding that he was shifted to the hospital where he succumbed to his injury.

He had been serving the BSF for last 27 years, sources said, adding that he is survived by a 21-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son. Soon thereafter, Pakistani troops resorted to small arms fire followed by mortar shelling on forward Indian positions causing tension in the area. The BSF retaliated.

Meanwhile, Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and small arms fire along the Line of Control in Balakote and Nowshera areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts respectively. Sources said that Indian army was also retaliating.

Though there had been escalation along the Line of Control in Rajouri-Poonch districts for the last few days following killing of four Indian soldiers in unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops in Rajouri district’s Keri sector on December 23, the international border in Samba district had been peaceful for past quite some time. In cross LoC raid two days thereafter, the Indian army in retaliation killed three Pakistani soldiers in Rawalakot area opposite Poonch.

As Pakistani troops continue resorting to unprovoked firing on forward Indian positions at frequent intervals, there has been escalation along the LoC. An Indian soldier was killed in Pakistani firing in Nowshera’s Rumli Dara area on December 31.

Following escalation along the LoC, Army chief General Bipin Rawat had visited forward areas of Rajouri to review situation and also the operational preparedness of troops last week. The Northern Army Commander Lt General D. Anbu has visited Rajouri and Poonch thrice in less than a fortnight.