Srinagar, Dec 6: After some lull in the last few months, India and Pakistan border again flared up as the armies of both the countries exchanged gunfire along the borders in J&K resulting in killing of at least two Indian soldiers.
An army soldier was killed and two others including an officer were injured in Pakistani shelling at Machil area along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday.
A Border Security Force (BSF) man was killed and another was injured critically in cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri same evening.
Official sources said that Pakistan army attacked Indian army posts of 57 RR in Kumkadi area in Machil on Thursday at around 11:00 am.
The troops manning the fence retaliated, triggering off a brief exchange of cross-border shelling. The cross-border shelling continued for about 20 minutes, they said.
However, in the exchange of fire, three soldiers including JCO suffered serious injuries and were evacuated to military hospital Drugmulla, they said.
The trio was later shifted to army’s 92 base hospital Badamibagh, Srinagar, however, one among the injured namely Signal Operator Rajesh Kumar succumbed on the way.
The other two injured identified as Naib Subedar Jitender Singh and Naik Virender Pratab are being operated upon by the doctors in the military hospital.
Official sources said that the Pakistani army also attacked Roshni Post manning by the army’s 56 RR in Machil sector at around 6:30 pm. The India troops returned the fire triggering off an exchange of shelling which continued for 15 minutes.
Army’s Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia also confirmed the killing of the soldier.
“Ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Machil Sector of Kupwara district took place today at around 1045 hours. Own troops retaliated strongly. One soldier was killed in the enemy fire,” Kalia said.
Meanwhile, the armies of India and Pakistan exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC) intermittently during last night in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Official sources said that Pakistan army targeted Indian posts by firing with automatic weapons and shelling.
The Indian army retaliated, leading to an exchange of fire that continued intermittently throughout the night.
In the shelling, one residential house and a shed of Hakim Ali Mir of Bathard Kundi Barjala Kamalkote got damaged. However, no loss of life or injuries were reported in the exchange.
Sub-District Magistrate, Uri Baseer ul Haq said that the affected family has been shifted to safety. He, however, added that concerned authorities have been directed to shift the people for safer places in case situation warrants so.
Meanwhile, a BSF spokesperson confirmed the killing of a soldier while another suffered serious injuries in cross-LoC firing in Rajouri district.
A BSF spokesperson said at 3:50 pm on Thursday, Pakistan “violated” ceasefire in Sundarbani area of the district.
“During effective retaliation at 4:30 pm two personnel of 126 Bn BSF got injured and were evacuated for treatment. Constable Paranjit Biswas succumbed to injuries,” he said
Intermittent exchange of fire between both sides was going on when last reports poured in, they said.
Earlier in the day, the armies of India and Pakistan exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC) throughout the previous night in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Two soldiers were wounded in a firing exchange earlier on Wednesday in the same area.
Reports said that the fresh exchange of fire began Wednesday night in Kamalkote area.
Quoting official sources, news agency GNS reported that Pakistan Army targeted Indian posts by firing with automatic weapons and shelling.
The Indian Army retaliated, leading to an exchange of fire that continued throughout the night.
On Wednesday, two army soldiers identified as Sepoy Dupo Veshunath and Naik M Walim of 8 Rashtriya Rifles were injured in the firing exchange who were later hospitalised.
Meanwhile, the movement of goods between the two sides of Kashmir on Thursday came to a halt following shelling along the Line of Control in Uri.
The trade authorities in Uri said they have decided to stop the movement of goods between the two parts of Kashmir today.
“Since the area of shelling is close to Kaman Post, we have decided to suspend the trade which was scheduled today,” reports quoting officials said.
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