BSF monitors seven-hour exchange of fire on Jammu’s Int’l border with Pakistan
Three individuals, including two BSF personnel, sustained injuries on Thursday night when Pakistani Rangers initiated small arms firing and mortar shelling in multiple locations along the international border within the Arnia and RS Pura sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Border Security Force (BSF) issued an official statement, revealing that the Pakistan Rangers had employed mortars and heavy machine guns during the assault, resulting in two non-fatal casualties.
According to reports, BSF Constable Basva Raj sustained minor splinter injuries in both hands due to the relentless shelling, while a local resident, Rajni Devi of Arnia, suffered minor injuries in the crossfire. This aggression from across the border continued from approximately 8 pm on Thursday, extending up to 2:45 am on Friday.
The BSF emphasised its commitment to closely monitor the evolving situation, remaining ever vigilant in order to safeguard the border and its residents. Following the unprovoked firing, BSF troops promptly retaliated, prompting the Pakistani rangers to extend their aggression to target border posts near Arnia. In response, BSF’s forward defense posts engaged in counterfire.
Around 9:15 pm on Thursday, Pakistan Rangers escalated the conflict by initiating mortar firing that reached border outposts and civilian areas. Regrettably, some shells landed in Arnia town, causing minor injuries to a civilian.
As the situation escalated, at around 10:40 pm on Thursday, Pakistan Rangers employed heavy machine gun fire and targeted BSF posts. This aggression continued until approximately 1 am, when the Rangers once again fired at BSF posts, leading to a sustained exchange of fire that finally subsided at 2:45 am.
The BSF reported that the injured constable’s condition remained stable, while assessments of material damage were underway. Fortunately, the intermittent exchange of fire in the Arnia and RS Pura sectors of Jammu district came to a halt in the early hours of Friday. The ordeal had forced numerous families to evacuate their border hamlets overnight. However, as the situation improved, these displaced families have begun returning to their homes.
