The BSF on Friday said the unprovoked firing by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border in Jammu targeting Indian posts and civilian areas continued for close to seven hours. In an official statement, the Border Security Force (BSF) said the Pakistan Rangers fired mortars and used heavy machine guns, leading to two non-fatal casualties.
BSF Constable Basva Raj suffered minor splinter injuries in both hands due to shelling. A local, Rajni Devi of Arnia, suffered minor injuries, it said.
The force said the Pakistani firing continued for close to seven hours, starting around 8 pm on Thursday and extending up to 2:45 am on Friday.
"BSF continues to monitor the developments closely while assessing the situation and remains alert to respond as necessary to ensure the safety and security of the border and its residents," the force said.
It said following the start of unprovoked firing, BSF troops retaliated and subsequently Pak Rangers extended their firing to target its border posts adjacent to Arnia prompting retaliation from its forward defence posts in these areas. At approximately 9:15 pm on Thursday, Pakistan Rangers started mortar firing targeting border outposts and civilian areas, the BSF said, adding some of the shells landed in Arnia town, resulting in minor injuries to a civilian.
"Around 10:40 pm on Thursday, Pakistan Rangers used heavy machine gun fire and targeted our posts. Around 1 am the Rangers again fired and targeted BSF posts, leading to an exchange of fire," the statement said.
Firing continued till 2:45 am, it said.
The BSF said the condition of the injured jawan was stable while material damage was being ascertained.
The intermittent exchange of fire between Pakistani Rangers and BSF personnel along the International Border in Arnia and RS Pura sectors of Jammu district ended early Friday.
Scores of families that had fled the border hamlets overnight after the unprovoked firing by Pakistani Rangers have now started returning to their homes.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Massive Crowd of Army Aspirants Causes Chaos in Pithoragarh During Recruitment Drive
BSF Seizes Rs 4.3 Crore Worth Gold Biscuits Near Indo-Bangladesh Border Drug Smuggler Spends 5 Hours In River Along Indo-Bangladesh Border, Dies 7 Illegal Bangladeshi Nationals Caught By Villagers, Joint Forces In Meghalaya Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History 2 More Exit Polls Predict Landslide For NDA In Maharashtra This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think Indian Army Chief Bestowed With Rank Of Honourary General Of Nepali Army Karnataka's Nandini Dairy Brand Enters Delhi NCR With Competitive Pricing Pollution Control Body Orders Filling Critical Gaps In Enforcing Rules Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.