KL Desk
SRINAGAR
The border guards of India and Pakistan Monday fired on each other’s position on international border (IB) in Kashmir, officials said.
According to Indian officials, two border guards of Border Security Force (BSF) and two civilians were wounded due to Pakistani firing, while Pakistan says the Indian firing killed a woman and wounded two others.
The two sides using light and heavy artillery targeted each other’s posts and areas for hours together.
“Two BSF personnel were injured when Pakistan forces violated cease-fire by targeting BSF border outposts along IB in Jammu district,” an official said.
The wounded border guards and civilians were admitted to Government Medical College hospital in Jammu.
According to state run All India Radio (AIR), BSF retaliated to Pakistan firing with equal caliber weapons.
The firing created panic among the villagers situated near Arnia sector after some mortars fell in residential areas, locals said.
On the other hand Pakistan said a woman was killed and two others were wounded after Indian border guards resorted to “unprovoked” firing in Charwa sector near Sialkote. According to Pakistan’s state run Radio Pakistan, Pakistan Rangers effectively responded to Indian BSF fire.
India last month said it has deployed nearly 2000 additional border guards of BSF and special surveillance equipment along the IB in the aftermath of fresh exchanges for effective domination of the areas.
The armies and border guards of India and Pakistan intermittently trade fire in Kashmir, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe cease-fire. Both New Delhi and Islamabad blame each other for resorting to unprovoked firings.
The Line of Control (LoC) on both sides is guarded by army, while as international border (IB) is guarded by BSF on Indian side and Pakistan Rangers from the other side.
LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts. (Agencies)
