In yet another instance of brutality by Pakistani forces on the Indo-Pak border, a Border Security Force jawan who went missing during the day was found dead with injury marks on his body and weapons missing. The jawan has been identified as a head constable with the BSF. The incident comes a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the smart fencing project along the international border with Pakistan to curb terrorist infiltration.
According to BSF sources, Pakistani rangers started unprovoked firing around 10.40am on Tuesday in Samba district’s Ramgarh sector along the international border. A BSF party which was on domination patrolling ahead of the fence was fired upon.
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“BSF troops immediately took position and retaliated but the enemy bullets hit a BSF jawan. The area on Pak side has a protective bundh (embankment) close to the IB,” the BSF said.
Since the area on the Indian side is undulated, marshy and having thick sarkanda (wild grass) growth, it made the immediate locating of the felled jawan difficult. The search operations continued through the day, with the force keeping its fingers crossed.
It was a day of high tension at the BSF headquarters in the capital. For hours, there was hectic communication between the local commander and the senior officers, while trying to locate the missing jawan. There was fear he may have been abducted.
Even as the situation was brought under control by the BSF, the body of the jawan was recovered by late evening. Sources said the jawan was ambushed, and his weapons were snatched. Marks of torture, especially around his throat, were visible. The BSF troops are presently on the ground clearing the area of any likely IED and booby traps.
Sources said the Pakistani Rangers prevented the BSF troops from clearing sarkanda as the thick vegetation provides them cover for terrorist infiltration.
The jawan’s brutal killing has heightened tension between the border guarding forces. Through the day there was heavy shelling along the LoC in Poonch district. There are indications that there could be a heavy retaliation from the Indian side even as Pakistani troops continue to be on the offensive.
