Jammu and Kashmir: Another BSF soldier killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan

A day after the death of a Border Security Force (BSF) soldier in cross-border firing along the Jammu International (IB) border, another BSF soldier was reportedly killed after Pakistan violated the ceasefire twice on Sunday night in the RS Pura sector of IB.

The ceasefire violation also injured another soldier, as the Pakistani side used mortar shells and fired small arms across the border. Reports state that the BSF gave a "suitable reply" to the violation. Pakistan's violation of the ceasefire on Sunday came hours after a warning by the BSF additional general director, Arun Kumar, that Pakistan will have to face serious consequences if any of the BSF jawans are targeted by them.

"Head constable Sushil Kumar was hit by a splinter in his chest while retaliating the Pakistan fire. He was administered first aid and evacuated to Government medical college and hospital in Jammu. He succumbed to his injuries at 12.30am on Monday," BSF Jammu frontier DIG Dharmender Pareekh said.

Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the IB on early Sunday evening, as Pakistani Rangers targeted the Indian posts across the border. However, BSF did not conduct a retaliatory firing at the time. Assistant sub-inspector, RD Puri, was also injured in the firing.

Kumar said that the BSF was prepared to deal with the Pakistani side in case of any eventualities. He also added that that the situation along the border could take a "turn anytime."

Residents living near the IB were asked to evacuate the nearby villages after heavy cross-border firing. BSF on Friday night killed seven Pakistani Rangers and one militant in cross-border firing after a Pak sniper attack critically injured an Indian soldier in Hiranagar, Kathua district of Jammu. BSF soldier Gurnam Singh succumbed to his injuries on Saturday at 11:30 pm in Jammu.