M A I N   N E W S

India, Pak exchange heavy firing

Jammu, January 19
Indian and Pakistan forces exchanged heavy machine gun firing on various border outposts (BOPs) in the Ranbir Singh Pura, Ramgarh and Hira Nagar sectors overnight.

Official sources said the two sides exchanged firing at Pindi, Pittal Post, Kote-Kuba, Jabowal, Zero Point, S.H. Way, Sangral, Mangral, Abdullian, Korotana, Khurd, Khatmarian, Gharana, Galar, Faqira Chak, Gharani, Joura Farm, Kharkhola, Amk, and S.M. Pura in the R.S. Pura sector.

Reports of firing between the two sides were also received from Kandral, Narayanpur Chambiyal, Fatwa and Nanga in the Ramgarh sector and at Mangu Chak, Dulma Chak, Sadhey Chak, Regal, Chachwal, Chalarian, Manyal, Chore Gali and Khawara in the Hira Nagar sector.

A BSF jawan was injured in firing by Pakistani troops from across the international border in Samba sector in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday, a BSF spokesman said here today.

He said constable L. Ghanaia was hit in the shoulder at Galar Post and was later rushed to a hospital. However, his condition has stabilised after a surgery.

Intermittent light arms firing between the two sides continued along the border in the Kathua, Hiranagar, R.S. Pura and Akhnoor sectors since yesterday without causing any casualties on the Indian side, he said.

Pakistani troops also fired a few rounds of mortar shells from across the Line of Control in the Balnoi area of the Noushera sector in Rajouri district during the period, defence sources said.

Light arms firing was also resorted to by Pakistani troops in the Batalick sector of Kargil district during the past 24 hours, which was retaliated by the Indian troops.

Meanwhile, Pakistani army seems to have stopped providing fire-cover to militants in the wake of President Pervez Musharraf’s vowed crackdown on terrorism, the sources said today.

The sources said that activities of the Pakistani army showed that in the past few days, 10 Corps had ceased to provide its fire-cover to the militants to help them infiltrate across the LoC.

“The (Pakistani) army’s disenchantment with the terrorists seems to be under compulsion as General Musharraf has made it clear that he would not brook any terrorist activities originating from his country,’’ they said.

In the first encounter at Kither area of Doda, police and jawans of the Rashtriya Rifles launched a search after a tip-off. As soldiers zeroed in on them, the insurgents opened fire and in the ensuing encounter, three Lashkar ultras were shot. In a second encounter at Poonch this afternoon, security forces eliminated two Lashkar ultras. PTI, UNI