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Five dead in Pak firing, a day ahead of PM Narendra Modi's J&K visit

Mehbooba Mufti says continued firing on the border is a cause of pain and worry

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A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state, Pakistan Rangers unleashed gunfire on the International Border (IB), killing five people including four civilians and a BSF soldier, besides injuring 12 others in Jammu and Kashmir.

The state government has closed all the schools in the range of zero to five kilometers of IB as a precautionary measure. Authorities have also set in motion an evacuation plan to rescue civilians trapped in vulnerable shelling zones.

At 1.30 am, Pakistan Rangers pounded Indian forward posts and civilian areas. Constable Sitaram Upadhyay was killed at his post at Jabbowal Border Outpost.

Hailing from Pal Ganj village of Giridih district in Jharkhand, the 28-year-old soldier of 192th battalion of BSF is survived by wife, three-year-old son and one-year-old daughter.

"This brave act has once again proved that bordermen are always ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation. BSF is committed to ensure the sanctity of International Border, and safety and security of the border populace," said Ram Awtar, Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier.

Later, Pakistan Rangers used heavy-caliber long-range weapons — including 120 mm mortars and 82 mm mortars – to inflict maximum damage into civilian areas. Four civilians were killed and 12 others injured in RS Pura and Arnia sectors. The slain were identified as Sat Paul (60), Jagmohan (45), Tarseem Lal (52) and Manjeet Kaur (45). The injured were taken to Government Medical College hospital Jammu.

"Two civilians were killed in RS Pura and two others in Arnia sector. We have started evacuating civilians and shelter camps have been readied," said Arun Manhas, additional deputy commissioner of Jammu.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said continued firing on the border is a cause of pain and worry. "Sad that while our country took the lead in starting peace initiatives with cessation of operations during Ramzan, Pakistan has shown no respect whatsoever for this holy month," she tweeted. "Pakistan will have to reciprocate and contribute to efforts for lasting peace. Everyone must realise that violence is a zero sum game. My deepest condolences to families of victims."

Inspector General of BSF took a tougher stand. "As a peaceful country, we never initiate fire, but will never hesitate to give a befitting reply if we are compelled," said Ram Awtar.

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