Jammu: Pak troops open fire at BSF

Pakistani Rangers had resorted to unprovoked firing on Border Security Force troops in Samba Sector, in an incident of violation of ceasefire along the International Border near Jammu, officiating Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Range, G S Virk said on Tuesday. The incident occured on Monday over the issue of a freshly marked track by Pakistani Rangers on the IB which, BSF believed, had entered the Indian territory, Virk said.

"Even though BSF requested for a dialogue on the issue, Pakistan Rangers opened fire when BSF troops tried to replace sand bags on a specific place marking Indian territory, which were earlier displaced by Pak Rangers," he said.

Pakistani Rangers fired about 45-50 rounds from light weapons on BSF troops in Samba sector between 9.15 am to 9.45 am Monday morning. However, there was no casualty or damage in the firing, he said. BSF troops exhibited restraint and did not retaliate respecting the norms of mutually agreed ceasefire on the border, Virk said.

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Later, a flag meeting was conducted between the two sides under the direction of the authorities of both the sides guarding the IB. A Flag Meeting was held within a couple of hours which was attended by Wing Commander of Pak Rangers and Commandant of BSF, he said adding that both sides resolved to maintain peace and tranquility on the border. Meanwhile, Indian authorities have also lodged a strong protest with Pakistani authorities on the issue, he said.