Soldier killed in Pakistani firing on LoC

Jammu: An Indian Army soldier was killed on Saturday in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said.

The Pakistani Army violated the ceasefire in the Krishna Ghati (KG) sector in Poonch district on Saturday, the Defence Ministry official said.

"The ceasefire violation started at 8.20 a.m. They used small arms and automatics to target Indian positions. Our troops retaliated effectively. However, Sepoy Mandeep Singh, 23, belonging to Punjab, was grievously injured. He later succumbed to his injuries," the official added.

Earlier, a Border Security Force (BSF) trooper and three civilians were injured in fresh firing by Pakistan Rangers on the international border (IB) of the state.

"From Akhnoor to R.S. Pura, Pakistan Rangers carried out indiscriminate shelling and firing to target civilian and security facilities.

"A BSF trooper sustained injuries in the firing in Pargwal area while three civilians, including a minor girl sustained injuries in Kanachak area of Akhnoor sector," a police officer said.

The injured have been shifted to hospital.

More than 10,000 residents of border villages have during the last two days migrated from their villages, leaving behind cattle, agricultural fields and homes.

Two security personnel, including an army soldier and a BSF trooper, and two civilians were killed on Friday in similar unprovoked firing on the LoC and the international border by Pakistan, police said.

Twenty-four others including two BSF troopers and 22 civilians were also injured.