Jammu, Dec 31: A BSF trooper was killed Wednesday when Pakistani border guards opened heavy fire at the Jammu and Kashmir border, sparking Indian retaliation that left two Pakistani troopers dead, officials said.
The Border Security Force trooper was killed in “unprovoked firing” by the Pakistanis on the international border in Samba district, police said. Another BSF trooper was injured.
After the incident, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he had ordered “double retaliation” in response to the unprovoked Pakistani firing.
“The BSF has retaliated effectively to Pakistan’s violation of (the 2003) ceasefire agreement on the international border in Samba.
“Heavy firing exchanges were continuing in the area till last reports came in,” a police officer said.
Pakistani officials quoted in the Pakistani media said two personnel from Chenab Rangers were killed in the Indian firing.
Dawn identified them as Naik Riaz Shakar and Lance Naik Safdar.
Dawn said they were killed when Indian officials sought a meeting after the exchange of fire, “and when two representatives from the Rangers contacted them, the Indians opened fire”.
BSF sources admitted to IANS that two Chenab Rangers men were indeed killed but refused to go into details. (IANS)