BSF constable, teen girl killed

Srinagar: A Border Security Force (BSF) head-constable and a 13-year-old girl were killed and several others were injured when the Pakistani Rangers targeted its border outposts and civilian areas in Ranbir Singh Pora and Arnia areas along the International Border (IB) in Jammu district on Wednesday night and early Thursday.

The fallen trooper has been identified as A. Suresh of the BSF’s 78 Battalion. He was a resident of Tamil Nadu, the officials said. The civilian victim was Sabity, daughter of Sat Pal, a resident of Dayala Chak village of neighbouring Kathua district. She was hit at the house of her maternal uncle at Pindi Charkan village of Arnia, the officials said.

The BSF said that the Pakistan Rangers resorted to firing and shelling along the IB without any provocation from the Indian side and that its men have responded to it “strongly and effectively.” A senior BSF officer said, “We have responded to the Pakistani firing and shelling strongly and effectively. They have suffered heavy casualties. Also, at least, two of their border posts were destroyed in retaliatory fire.”

BSF’s Director General, K.K. Sharma, while speaking to reporters after the wreath-laying ceremony for the slain trooper on Thursday said that he has asked his men to retaliate to Pakistani firing with full might. He described the situation along the IB as “tense”.

Jammu’s Additional DC, Arun Manhas, said that the BSF jawans were giving a befitting reply to Pakistani firing. He also said that the schools located within a radius of five kilometres from the IB will remain closed till the situation demands “as a precautionary measure”.