The Indian Army destroyed at least four Pakistani posts and inflicted heavy casualties on Pakistani troops in the Keran sector along the Line of Control on Saturday, shortly after Pakistan violated the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir’s RS Pura sector.
The Indian forces retaliated after Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire repeatedly in Kathua and RS Pura sector along the International Border on Saturday.
A Border Security Force (BSF) soldier was killed in Pakistani firing in Machil sector.
Pakistan forces have been targeting Indian posts in multiple ceasefire violations since India carried out surgical strikes and destroyed seven staging areas for terrorists in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in September.
On Saturday night, Pakistan fired at places in the RS Pura, Samba and Hiranagar sectors.
Four army and three BSF personnel have died in the last one month.
At least 4 civilians in border villages have also been killed and several others have been injured in Pakistani firing. Areas near the border have been put on high alert
In retaliation, 15 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the past one week, the BSF said on Friday.
An Indian soldier was also killed on Friday and his body was mutilated by terrorists in an attack near the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
The army had said “the incident will be responded to appropriately”, adding the attackers had fled into Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir “under the cover of heavy firing by Pakistan army”.
Sepoy Mandeep Singh served in Sikh regiment which he had joined in 2008 and was currently posted with the 17 Rashtriya Rifles.
After the attack, the Indian Army hit back in Keran, Kupawara, Tangdhar and Mendhar sectors.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that security forces were giving a befitting reply to the firing from Pakistan.
Sources said Shahbaz Sharif, brother of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on Friday, had visited villages along the International Border that have been pounded by Indian forces, to take stock of the damage.
Amid the escalation in hostilities, the BSF has said that it will neither send nor receive sweets from Pakistani Rangers at Wagah Border today on Diwali.
