Pak border guards again violate ceasefire on Jammu-Sialkot border

Srinagar: Border Security Force (BSF) said that Pakistan Rangers late Thursday violated the ceasefire agreement by resorting to "unprovoked firing " to target its forward posts along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The firing caused panic among the civilians in the Ranbir Singh Pura area and its neighbourhood. Many families have relocated to safer locations", the BSF said.

Local news agency KNO quoted a BSF spokesperson as saying that firing started at around 8 pm when Pak Rangers targeted some Indian posts without any provocation. He said that the firing was effectively retaliated to by the BSF.

A large number of people living in villages near the zero line were seen moving towards areas of R S Pura , Bishnah and Jammu, which are considered as out of firing range. The local administration also rushed to assist the people with opening schools and Panchayat Ghars as shelters for them, the agency said quoting an unnamed official.

This is the second ceasefire violation this month in the same area. Earlier on October 17, the BSF had said that two of its jawans were injured in firing by Pakistan Rangers in the Arnia sector.