On the evening of October 26, 2023, a concerning breach of peace unfolded along the Indo-Pak International Border in Sector Jammu as Pakistan Rangers initiated unprovoked firing, leading to an immediate and robust response from the Border Security Force (BSF).
BSF Retaliates to Unprovoked Firing by Pak Rangers in Sector Jammu
On the evening of October 26, 2023, at about 2000 hrs, Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing along the Indo-Pak International Border in Sector Jammu.
In response, BSF troops immediately retaliated to… pic.twitter.com/va7SlYXKrm
— BSF (@BSF_India) October 27, 2023
The exchange of fire commenced at approximately 2000 hrs when Pakistan Rangers opened fire without provocation. In response, BSF troops swiftly retaliated, and the situation quickly escalated. Pakistan Rangers extended their firing to target adjacent Border Outposts (BOPs), prompting Indian Forward Defense Posts to respond with equal determination.
Around 2115 hrs, Pakistan Rangers intensified the situation by launching mortar fire, specifically targeting Border outposts and encroaching into civilian areas leading to minor injuries to a civilian, identified as Rajni Devi, wife of Balbir Singh, a resident of Arnia town in Jammu.
As tensions continued to rise, Pakistan Rangers then deployed heavy machine gun fire from across the border, directly targeting Indian posts. However, the attack was swiftly responded with unwavering resolve by the valiant Indian troops, ensuring a fitting response to the provocation.
“At about 270108 hrs, Pak Rangers again fired at and targeted our BOPs, leading to an exchange of fire and adequately retaliated by own troops,” the BSF in its statement informed.
The exchange of fire between the two sides persisted until approximately 270245 hours, the BSF in the statement added.
Casualties and Injuries:
- During the cross-border exchange, CT Basava Raj sustained minor splinter injuries due to shelling, affecting both of his hands. He was promptly evacuated to the Primary Health Center (PHC) in Arnia and subsequently admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Jammu. Encouragingly, CT Basava Raj’s condition is currently stable.
- Fortunately, no other casualties have been reported at this time.
- The extent of material damage is still being assessed.
Dev Raj Chowdhary, the Sarpanch of the border village Bulleh Chak in Sai Kalan, Arnia of RS Pura sector in Jammu, shared his perspective on the situation, remarking, “A lot of firing was done by Pakistan overnight. No person has been injured in this but a house building has been damaged. After 6 years, there was firing from the Pakistan side last night. Our security forces retaliated to the firing.”
As the situation developed, residents of the border village in the Arnia area sought refuge in bunkers to ensure their safety. One resident described their experience, stating, “These bunkers are quite big… So they are good for safety. Suddenly, the firing started at night…We come to bunkers at night.”
Another resident highlighted the vital role played by bunkers in safeguarding lives, noting, “…Bunkers do help us… When shelling occurs in our homes, it gets destroyed… It was safe here. They help us to save our lives…”
With tension prevailing along the Indo-Pak International Border in Sector Jammu, the region remains on high alert
