Ceasefire Breach by Pakistan at Jammu IB, BSF Responds with Vigor

In a breach of the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan Rangers engaged in unprovoked firing at a BSF post along the International Border (IB) in the R S Pura sector. This incident, occurring after more than a decade according to local residents, sparked panic in the area.

The Public Relations Office of the BSF, Jammu frontier, reported that the firing commenced at approximately 5:50 pm and was met with a fitting response from BSF troops. The exchange ceased by 6:15 pm, with troops remaining on high alert.

The skirmish occurred when BSF personnel stationed at the border outpost in Makwal came under fire from across the border, prompting a robust retaliation. Fortunately, there were no casualties or damages reported on the Indian side.

This event follows a similar occurrence on November 8-9 last year when a BSF jawan lost his life in firing by the Pakistan Rangers in the Ramgarh sector of Samba district. This marked the first fatality on the Indian side since the renewal of the ceasefire on February 25, 2021.

Additionally, incidents of cross-border firing on October 26 last year resulted in injuries to two BSF personnel and a civilian woman in Jammu's Arnia sector, while another jawan was injured on October 17.

Senior officers are closely monitoring the situation, with all security personnel along the IB instructed to maintain a heightened state of alertness.

The timing of this ceasefire violation coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir on February 20, where he is scheduled to address a public rally. Former sarpanch of Badyal Brahmana, Binny Sharma, expressed concern over the disturbance of peace caused by Pakistan's actions, highlighting that such firing hadn't occurred in the area for a decade or more. He mentioned that the BSF has advised farmers to avoid border areas until further notice.

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