One BSF person was killed while seven others including three labourers and a local resident, were injured when Pakistani Rangers targeted BSF Border Outposts along International Border in Jammu district today morning. BSF sources told AIR that around 1115 hours today, Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing on Pittal Border Outpost along International Border (IB) in Arnia forward area of R S Pura Sector in Jammu. They said that in the heavy firing, BSF washerman Sanjay Dhar was killed while seven persons including three BSF personnel namely Madan Lal, ASI, Constable Som Raj and Madan Lal, Inspector, three labourers from Bihar and one Arnia resident were injured in the firing incident. Sources added that BSF troops guarding the borderline retaliated back with equal calibre arms resulting in exchanges which are still going on in the area. The injured are undergoing treatment at Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu.

Sources said the ceasefire violation comes a day after the two sides held a flag meeting at Chambiliyal border outpost in Samba district to discuss removal of wild bushes along the zero line and adjoining areas to improve visibility during patrolling.

This is the third ceasefire violation by Pakistan in July. On July 12, Pakistan Rangers had violated the ceasefire and targeted Indian posts in Pindo belt in Jammu district. On July 1, Pakistan troops resorted to heavy firing with automatic and small weapons on Indian posts along the LoC in Mendhar forward areas along LoC in Poonch district, forcing Indian troops to retaliate.

Pakistan violated the ceasefire five times along LoC and IB in Jammu region in June. There were 19 incidents of ceasefire violation along the LoC in April-May. In 2013, 12 jawans were killed and 41 injured in the highest number of ceasefire violations (149) and firing by Pakistan troops on forward posts, civilian areas and patrolling parties along Indo-Pak border.