Mehbooba expresses grief over BSF casualties in Pak firing

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday expressed deep anguish and grief over the death of four BSF personnel, including an officer, in firing by Pakistan Rangers in the Ramgarh sector of Samba district.

Four Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, including an assistant commandant-rank officer, were killed and three others injured in firing by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border in the Samba district.

Paying rich tributes to the slain personnel, the Chief Minister reiterated her demand for cessation of hostilities along the borders to protect lives and properties of border people who, have been caught in a distressing situation of past few months which has put them to vulnerability.

Mehbooba said the suspension of operations elsewhere in the state has given the people a sigh of relief and hoped the same is extended to the borders and an atmosphere of peace returns to these areas which had prevailed for more than a decade due to the peace efforts of both the neighbouring countries in 2003 around.

The Chief Minister has extended her sympathies to the bereaved families while praying for peace to the departed souls.

The BSF said that it had honoured the ceasefire agreed at a recent sector commander-level meeting but Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing.
"Since the ceasefire was on...it is the time we use to strengthen our defences. A team was going with defence material, Pakistan violated the ceasefire and fire at them with flat trajectory weapon followed by mortar firing. That is how the causality has taken place," Additional Director General (ADG) of BSF Western Command, K N Chaubey, told reporters here today.

The BSF ADG said that it was very unfortunate and "the ceasefire announcement made and agreed is to be honoured".