Pakistani troops heavily shelled 50 border outposts in Jammu frontier killing a BSF jawan in what is stated to be the most serious ceasefire violation since 2003 that prompted Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to declare that a "fitting reply" would be given.
Rattled at the spike in ceasefire violations--about 150 this year, Shinde also said today that additional BSF troops were being sent to man the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir.
"We will give a fitting reply to Pakistan," Shinde told reporters in Delhi reacting to the latest ceasefire violation described as the most serious incident since the 2003 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.
Voicing concern at the heavy shelling in border areas, J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said no one in India was in favour of war with Pakistan but friendship cannot be a "one-sided affair".
The heavy shelling overnight in the fresh ceasefire violation came close on the heels of Shinde's visit to areas along the IB yesterday to review the security situation arising out of a rise in such incidents since October 14, in which two jawans were killed and 18 people injured.
BSF officers in Jammu said Pakistani Rangers opened fire with automatic weapons and attacked over 5O border posts (BOPs) along IB in Jammu frontier belt with mortar shells since last night.
Pakistani rangers also rained mortars in forward villages of Arnia, R S Pura and Akhnoor sectors from 7.40 PM last night, the officers said.
BSF troops guarding the border line retaliated resulting in fierce exchanges of shelling and firing, which continued till this morning, they said. The injured were hospitalised.
In the exchange of fire, Mukesh Lal Meena, a Head Constable of BSF posted in BOP Chinaj, was killed and seven BSF personnel, including two officers, were injured, they said.
Addressing a public meeting near the LoC in Tangdhar, Omar said he would continue to impress upon the the Centre to take up the ceasefire violations with Pakistan and resolve the issue so that peace rules the roost on the border and on the LoC.
