Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire along International Border in Jammu

Jammu: Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday violated ceasefire agreement by resorting to unprovoked firing at a Border Security Force (BSF) post along the International Border here, officials said.

BSF personnel manning the border outpost in Makwal retaliated befittingly to the firing from across the border, with the exchange lasting for over 20 minutes, beginning at 5.50 pm, officials said. They said there was no casualty or damage on the Indian side.

Last year, on the intervening night of November 8-9, a BSF jawan was killed in Pakistan Rangers firing in Ramgarh sector of Samba district -- the first death on this side since February 25, 2021, when a renewed ceasefire was agreed upon by the two countries. Earlier on October 26, two BSF personnel and a woman were injured in cross-border firing in Arnia sector of Jammu, while another BSF jawan was injured in a similar incident on October 17.

Officials said senior officers are monitoring the situation and the security personnel deployed all along the IB have been asked to remain on high alert.

The ceasefire violation comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir administration is preparing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Union Territory on February 20. Modi is scheduled to address a public rally in Jammu during his visit.