JAMMU: A
Border Security Force jawan was killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistani army along the International Border (IB) in
Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
“Pakistan Rangers started unprovoked firing and targeted forward border outposts during wee hours along the international border in Samba,” the official spokesman said, adding that Indian forces “retaliated strongly and effectively.”
The spokesman said the deceased jawan was identified as constable Devendra Singh, 28, who was grievously injured during the 3-hour long firing. Singh was evacuated to a hospital but died on the way. He was a resident of Lakhanpur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra.
According to sources, security personnel deployed along the IB in Samba and Kathua districts have been on high alert for the last three days after receiving inputs of terrorist infiltration. On March 14, BSF troops had also noticed suspicious movement of at least three people in combat fatigues and backpacks in Kathua.
BSF director general K K Sharma confirmed on Tuesday that at least 5 terrorists had managed to enter Kashmir via a tunnel dug across the IB in Jammu region.
“The group of five terrorists that tried to infiltrate into our territory on Sunday might have sneaked through a tunnel,” Sharma told reporters, adding that an anti-terror operation was launched to apprehend the infiltrators and detect the tunnel.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the valley, including Jammu, on May 19, he said, “Such a kind of incident before the PM’s visit is a serious matter but security agencies and J&K police are fully aware of it and requisite steps have been taken.”
Open to dialogue if Pakistan takes first step: J&K Dy CM
J&K deputy chief minister said on Tuesday that India was open to peace talks if Pakistan initiated a dialogue.
“Talks should be held with Pakistan but only if they offer for it,” Kavinder Gupta told reporters after paying tributes to BSF jawan Devender Singh, who was killed in a ceasefire violation in Samba.