A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Jammu and Kashmir for a two-day visit, four civilians and BSF trooper were killed in Pakistani shelling in the border area of R.S. Pura in Jammu on Friday. The intense shelling came two days after the Centre announced a suspension of operations during the month of Ramzan.
In the wake of the shelling, schools close to the International Border in five kilometers radius were closed. The authorities have also removed civilians trapped in the affected areas.
The shelling by Pakistan Rangers began at 1.30 am in which one BSF constable, Sitaram Upadhyay, 28, was killed at Jabbowal Border Outpost at the International Border. A resident of Pal Ganj village of Giridih district in Jharkhand, the slain BSF man of 192th battalion is survived by wife, and two minor children—three-year-old son and one-year-old daughter.
“This brave act has once again proved that bordermen are always ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation,'' said Ram Awtar, inspector general of BSF, Jammu Frontier. ''BSF is committed to ensuring the sanctity of International Border and safety and security of border populace,” he added.
Pakistan fired heavy caliber weapons and 80mm and 120 mm mortars which left four civilians dead and 12 others injured in Arnia sector and R.S. Pura. Those killed were identified as Sat Paul (60), Jagmohan (45), Tarseem Lal (52), and Manjeet Kaur (45). The injured civilians were shifted to Government Medical College hospital Jammu.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said border firing in Jammu is a cause of pain and worry. “Sad that while our country took the lead in starting peace initiatives with cessation of operations during Ramzan, Pakistan has shown no respect whatsoever for this holy month. Pakistan will have to reciprocate and contribute to efforts for lasting peace. Everyone must realise that violence is a zero-sum game. My deepest condolences to families of victims,'' Mufti tweeted.
Inspector general of BSF said, “As a peaceful country we never initiated fire from our side, but will never hesitate to give befitting reply if we will be compelled to resort fire.''