Pakistan has been firing at Indian posts along Loc since morning; multiple ceasefire violations in a week
Highlights
- Pakistan has been firing at Indian posts along LoC since morning
- Two Pakistani Frontier Force soldiers and 13 Rangers have been killed
- 3 BSF soldiers have been killed in Pakistani shelling in the last 5 days
15 Pakistani soldiers were killed on Friday as Indian troops retaliated to incessant firing by Pakistan along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday, the Border Security Force (BSF) said.
Two Pakistani Frontier Force soldiers and 13 Rangers were killed, suggested an initial assessment by the BSF based on calls monitored by Indian agencies. Sources say agencies have intercepted calls from hospitals asking for help to treat the injured.
"There are ceasefire violations repeatedly, we are giving a befitting reply. As far as our people have seen, what we have assessed is at least 15 rangers have been killed," said senior BSF officer Arun Kumar.
Exactly a week ago, seven Pakistani soldiers were killed along the International Border by the BSF.
Firing has been on for the last 24 hours in Rajouri, Samba, Abdullia, RS Pura and Suchetgarh, officials said.
Heavy shelling from Pakistan began around 5 am along the Line of Control in Nowshera, Sundarbani and Pallanwala districts. Yesterday, BSF soldier Jitender Singh, 46, died when Pakistani Rangers fired a mortar shell in RS Pura sector.
Three BSF soldiers have been killed in Pakistani shelling in the last five days.
Areas near the border have been on high alert because of a spurt in firing from Pakistan in the past few days.
"Yesterday, unprovoked ceasefire violation continued till night. It again started at three places this morning. We are giving them an appropriate response," said Defence Ministry spokesperson Manish Mehta.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh had on Thursday urged the BSF to give a "fitting response".
Over the last week, a six-year-old child was killed and 30 people were injured in shelling.