Jammu, October 17
Pakistan troops today opened heavy fire on at least five Indian forward posts and villages in RS Pura and Pargwal sectors along the 191.5-km-long international border, injuring at least five villagers, including a woman and three children.

The injured sustained splinter injuries caused by 82 mm mortars. Two Pak Rangers were killed in RS Pura sector in retaliatory fire by the BSF.

“Around 9 am, Pak Rangers opened unprovoked fire using 82 mm mortars and rocket-propelled grenades on Allah Mai De Kothe (AMK) and Kharkola posts of the BSF in RS Pura sector. Initially, they used small arms, but soon switched over to mortars and RPGs,” said a senior BSF officer.

“We retaliated with equal-calibre weapons in which two Rangers were eliminated,” he added. The heavy exchange of fire continued till 11 am, while intermittent firing went up to 1.30 pm, he said.

The Rangers opened heavy fire, using 82 mm mortars, on at least three BSF posts —Maljoda, Matkula and Najwal — in Pargwal sector of Chicken Neck area in Akhnoor sub-division around 1 pm.

In Najwal village, Rangers used 82 mm mortars to target villagers working in their fields. “Five villagers, including a woman and three children, sustained splinter injuries caused by mortar explosions. They were taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Jammu,” he said.

Their condition was stated to be out of danger, he added.

In Pargwal sector, the exchange of fire went on till 4.30 pm. “We strongly retaliated to their unprovoked fire in this sector as well,” the officer added.

Housing Minister Raman Bhalla, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Shantmanu and Jammu Deputy Commissioner AK Sahu visited the injured at the GMCH, Jammu, and handed over Rs 10,000 each to them for medical expenditure.