Jammu and Kashmir: BSF jawan martyred in ceasefire violation by Pakistan

A jawan of Border Security Force (BSF) was martyred on Tuesday after Pakistan Army violated ceasefire along the international border in Jammu’s Samba sector in the late Monday night.

"A BSF jawan was injured during ceasefire violation in Samba on IB near Manguchak post of 173 Battalion at around 0120 hrs (1.20am) late Monday night," according to an intelligence officer.

The heavy firing between the two sides continued for an hour during which the jawan was hit by a stray bullet through the loophole of his picket.

The jawan, later identified as constable Devendra Singh was rushed to Military Hospital but died of his bullet injuries.

The incident came barely 24 hours after BSF noticed a suspicious movement of a group of five persons, believed to be terrorists and attempting to sneak into this side, along the IB in Hiranagar sector of nearby Kathua district, prompting a massive search operation and sounding of a high alert in Jammu.

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Army also pressed helicopters into service during the search operation which entered the second day on Tuesday, the official said.

Singh's death took the number of persons killed in over 700 incidents of Pakistani shelling along the IB and Line of Control (LoC) in the state - highest this year - to 33. The deceased included 17 security personnel.

Devender Kumar, a Border Security Force (BSF) Constable, who lost his life in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Samba sector #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/nqNJAH9C3u

— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir on May 19.

There has been a lull in firing along the IB over the past three months after intense border skirmishes in January and February, which led to many casualties and forced civilians to flee their homes.

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Earlier, on May 10, another civilian lost his life in small arms firing by Pakistani forces along the line of control (LoC) in Poonch district. The border along the IB has been witnessing he frequent ceasefire violation by Pakistan since last few months.

(With inputs from agencies)