BSF jawan, four civilians killed in Pakistan shelling in Jammu

Four civilians and a BSF jawan were killed while 12 others were injured as Pakistan Rangers heavily shelled villages and Border out Posts (BoPs) in Jammuon Friday, officials said.

This is the third day of shelling and firing by Pakistani troops along the International Border in Jammu frontier and comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow.

Pakistan Rangers shelled areas in R S Pura, Bishnah and Arnia sectors of Jammu by resorting to heavy mortar shelling and firing since 0100 hours in R S Pura, Bishnah sectors, a senior BSF officer told PTI.

BSF troops guarding the borderline retaliated, he said.

The slain jawan was identified as 28-year-old constable Sitaram Upadhyaya of 192 Battalion. He was critically injured at Jabowal BoP around 0130 hours and died en route to GMC Hospital in Jammu.

Upadhyay hailed from Giridih in Jharkhand and joined the force in 2011. He is survived by a three-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter, officials said.

An Assistant Sub Inspector of BSF also suffered a splinter injury at Pittal BoP, the officer said adding that he has been admitted to a hospital.

In the heavy Pakistan shelling in R S Pura and Arnia sectors, four civilians including a couple were killed and 12 others injured, Additional District Development Commissioner Arun Manhas told PTI.

SDPO, R S Pura, Sahil Prashur said police is using bullet-proof vehicles to evacuate the injured to the hospital and is reaching out to the people in shelling-hit zones.

In view of the shelling, the administration has activated the shelter set up.