Calm prevailed along the International Border and the Line of Control in five districts of Jammu and Kashmir overnight after three days of intense shelling by Pakistan which left 10 persons, including six civilians dead, and over 50 others injured, PTI reported.
There was no report of firing by Pakistan along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts since 20 January, and along the LoC in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch from 4 am, BSF and police officials said.
Two days of heavy firing across the border with Pakistan had affected thousands of border residents along the Jammu region.
Two civilians were killed and four others injured after Pakistan Rangers heavily shelled civilian areas and Border out Posts (BoPs) along the international border (IB) in Jammu and Samba districts for the second consecutive day on Friday, 19 January. BSF head constable Jagpal Singh succumbed to injuries after he was caught in mortar shelling in Samba sector.
Five civilians were injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Hiranagar sector in Kathua, reported ANI. A ceasefire violation by Pakistan was also reported in Nowshera Sector of Rajouri.
All injured are being taken care of. For the first time, even though Pakistan is up to its mischief as it has always been, the kind of retaliatory action from Indian side was not seen for decades together.Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO to ANI
Minister of State Hansraj Ahir had said that ceasefire violation was a part of Pakistan’s “wicked nature”.
Sending terrorists and ceasefire violation is a part of Pakistan’s wicked nature. It’s sad that our BSF jawan lost life but they’re giving Pakistan a befitting reply. Our jawans are protecting the nation and citizens.:Hansraj Ahir, MoS Home Affairs to ANI
"Pakistan Rangers resorted to heavy firing and shelling along the IB in several areas in RS Pura, Arnia and Ramgarh sectors since 6:40 am", a BSF officer said.
The BSF official had said that Pakistan has targeted BoPs and villages within over 35 km of the IB.
They targeted around 40 border out posts in three sectors, using 82 mm and 52 mm mortar bombs, automatic and small weapons.BSF official
A police officer said Pakistani troops had targeted over 40 civilian villages along the IB till now.
In view of the heavy shelling, over 1,000 people living along the border had to be evacuated from the area and schools along the borderline were closed.
One woman died in Sai Khurda, while a man died in Korotona in the RS Pura-Arnia belt. A civilian was injured in RS Pura, including one in Sai Khurd village, while two others were injured in Ramgarh.
He said the situation along the IB and LoC was tense.
On Thursday, a 17-year-old girl and a BSF jawan were killed and six people were injured when Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire and heavily shelled BoPs and villages along the IB in three sectors of Jammu and Samba districts.
BSF Director General KK Sharma visited Jammu to pay homage to Suresh, who lost his life on 18 January, and directed his field commanders to retaliate with full force and teach Pakistan Rangers a lesson.
Terrorists Throw Hand Grenade At Pulwama
In another incident, terrorists hurled a grenade towards Pulwama police station that exploded inside Tehsil office, on Friday, 19 January. Two civilians and four policemen were injured in the attack, reported ANI.
A CRPF official stated that search operations had been launched to nab the terrorists.
100 Ceasefire Violations in 2018, Says MEA
According to sources, Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah had been summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs, reported ANI.
He was conveyed the government’s grave concerns at the continued ceasefire violations and deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by Pakistan forces.MEA Statement
The MEA in a statement also added that 100 such violations had been carried out by Pakistan forces on Line of Control and the International Border so far during 2018.
It was conveyed to the concerned authorities in Pakistan that deliberate targeting of innocent civilians was against all established humanitarian norms and practices.MEA Statement
The MEA said that Pakistan was again called upon to adhere to the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, for maintaining “peace and tranquility” along the LoC.
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