Ramzan ‘Peace’ Ends: BSF Jawan, 4 Civilians Killed in Pak Firing

Just days earlier, the Centre asked security forces not to launch operations during the holy month of Ramzan.

BSF jawans patrol the India-Pakistan border. Image used for representational purposes only.

(Photo: PTI)

A Border Security Force (BSF) soldier and two civilians were killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir’s RS Pura sector early on Friday, 18 May, reported ANI. In another ceasefire violation at the Arnia sector, two more civilians were killed.

One other security personnel was also reportedly injured in the RS Pura attack.

Sitaram Upadhyay, who lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in RS Pura sector of J&K.  (Photo: ANI)

The BSF soldier who was killed in the attack has been identified as Sitaram Upadhyay, and is survived by a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son, reports ANI.

Upadhyay was from Giridih in Jharkhand and had joined the force in 2011, according to NDTV.

Schools within three kilometre radius of the international border have been declared closed by the administration, reported ANI.

Unprovoked Firing, Infiltration Bids on the Rise

Instances of unprovoked firing and attempts to infiltrate the IB have increased significantly in the past week, PTI reports. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to conduct an official visit to J&K on Saturday, 19 May.

“Firing in Heeranagar area was on during the intervening night of 16 and 17 May in which one BSF trooper was injured. Yesterday, during the daytime, it stopped but Pakistan resumed firing last night in the Arnia sector which claimed the life of a jawan early today,” a senior BSF official told PTI.

"The firing in the RS Pura sector has stopped now," he added.

Just two days earlier, on 16 May, Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced that central forces will terminate offensive operations during the month of Ramzan, yielding to calls from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti that were earlier reviled by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The decision has been taken to help the “peace-loving Muslims observe Ramzan in a peaceful environment,” a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

In total, four civilians and one BSF constable lost their lives on Friday, 18 May, due to ceasefire violation in JammuAndKashmir.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)

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