J&K: 2 Pakistan soldiers die as BSF opens retaliatory fire

Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory action by the BSF on Thursday, a day after three Indian jawans were injured in unprovoked firing and shelling by Pakistani troops along the international border (IB) and the LoC in Jammu and Poonch districts of J&K.

“Unprovoked firing by Pak forces on BSF posts across Jammu IB injured 3 BSF troopers (in Poonch & Jammu districts yesterday),” the Border Security Force (BSF) said in a tweet.

“Retaliatory fire by BSF killed 2 Pak soldiers,” it further said. Pakistan rangers on Wednesday resorted to small arms firing and mortar shelling on Brahman Bella and Raipur Border out Posts (BoPs) along the IB in Pargwal sector of Akhnoor belt in Jammu district, a police officer said.

BSF troops retaliated, resulting in exchange of fire in which one BSF jawan was injured.In another ceasefire violation, the Pakistan army resorted to firing and shelling on Indian posts along the Line of Control in Mankote, Sabjian and Digwar forward areas in Poonch since Wednesday, police said, adding three civilians also suffered injuries in the heavy exchanges of fire.

This is the fourth ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the past five days. 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.