BSF trooper killed in Pakistani firing

A BSF trooper was killed as Pakistani forces fired throughout Sunday night at Indian posts on the LoC and international border in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday.

Border Security Force (BSF) trooper Abhijeet of the 119 battalion was killed on Sunday in firing in Leepa Valley area of Nowgam sector of Kupwara district.

Pakistani troops on Sunday fired at Indian positions both on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kashmir Valley and the international border in Jammu region.

Pakistan Rangers also fired at BSF outposts on the international border in Arnia area of R.S. Pura sector in Jammu district.

"Unprovoked firing by Pakistan Rangers continued for the whole night intermittently yesterday (Sunday)," a police official told IANS in Jammu.

"Six BSF outposts in Arnia sub-sector were targeted. Earlier, Pakistan Rangers fired with small arms only, but later on, they used 82 mm mortars."

The official said the BSF troops "retaliated befittingly", and there was no firing since 5 a.m. on Monday.

Officials said the firing by Pakistan took place even when the Indian Army, as a goodwill gesture, returned an 11-year-old Pakistani boy who had inadvertently crossed the LoC in the Kashmir Valley.

The Indian Army had called for a special flag meeting to return the boy to Pakistani officers. It also gave new clothes and sweets to the boy as a goodwill gesture, officials said. - IANS