J&K: Soldier killed in Pakistan ceasefire violation in Rajouri district

AN Army jawan was killed on Thursday as Pakistani troops, in yet another incident of ceasefire violation, used artillery, mortars and small arms to target forward Indian positions and civilian areas along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sunderbani and Nowshera sectors of Rajouri district.

“Today again Pakistan used artillery guns for shelling and was replied befittingly,” said Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt Colonel Devender Anand. He said Pakistan violated ceasefire by resorting to mortar shelling besides firing of small arms in Sunderbani sector.

Later, around 2.45 pm, the cross-border shelling spread to adjoining Nowshera sector. The Indian army retaliated befittingly, he said, adding that cross-border shelling and small arms fire stopped at around 4.45 pm.

A few shells also fell in the fields in Battal area, locals said.

The deceased soldier has been identified as Rifleman Yash Paul, 24, of Chenani in Udhampur district. He is survived by his wife Archana Kumari.

He is the second soldier killed in unprovoked Pakistani firing in Sunderbani sector during the last three days. On Monday, rifleman Karamjeet Singh, 24, of Punjab’s Moga district was killed in cross border firing, while three others were injured.

Ever since IAF bombing of terror camps in Pakistan’s Balakot after the Pulwama attack, there has been a spurt in incidents of shelling and firing by Pakistan. On Sunday also they had resorted to mortar shelling and small arms fire in the same sector.