LoC flare-up: Soldier, BSF trooper killed in cross LoC fire
Cross border trade along Uri crossing point suspended
Srinagar: An army soldier and a BSF Jawan were killed on Thursday in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the Machil sector of north Kashmir and Sunderbani area of Rajouri, sources said.
Earlier, the Indian and Pakistani armies traded heavy fire on the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district, defence sources said.
Srinagar based Army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said, “Cease Fire Violation (CFV) by Pakistan in Machil Sector of Kupwara district at around 1045 hours today. Own troops retaliated strongly. One soldier was killed by enemy fire,” he said.
Notably, the Pakistan Army used automatics and mortars to target Indian positions on the LoC in Kamalkote area of Uri sector late on Wednesday, the sources said.
“Indian positions retaliated effectively. Firing exchanges continued till Thursday morning. No casualty has been reported from our side,” they added.
Two Indian soldiers were injured on Wednesday in Pakistan firing in the same area.
On Thursday a residential house and a shed was damaged due shelling in Uri sector.
Official sources said that Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in the Kamalkote area of Uri sector and targeted Indian posts with heavy firing and shelling since Wednesday morning.
The cross-border shelling continued intermittently till 11 am on Thursday.
“One residential house and a shed belonging to Hakim Ali Mir son of Atta Mohammad Mir resident of Bathard Kundi Barjala Kamalkote was damaged by the shelling,” a police official said.
Sub District Magistrate Uri Baseer ul Haq said that the affected family has been shifted to a safer place and concerned authorities have been directed to shift the people to safer places in case situation warrants so.
He added that cross LoC trade via Uri has been suspended for a day as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, a BSF jawan was killed, another injured in sniper fire from across LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri area of Jammu division, official sources said.
They said the incident occurred at the Rakhee post in the evening. The sector is manned by the troops of the 126th battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF).
While a bullet hit Constable P Biswas on the left shoulder, Constable Mansa Ram suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, they said.
The two jawans were evacuated in a helicopter to the nearest medical facility, but Biswas succumbed to injuries, they added.
The condition of the other jawan is stable, officials said.
KV News
