SIALKOT - Indian Border Security Force yesterday resorted to unprovoked intensified mortar shelling at the villages of Bajwat and Shakargarh sectors of Sialkot Working Boundary.

The Pakistani army also trashed Indian claims regarding killing of any Pakistani soldier at the border in Kashmir. In a statement, ISPR Director General Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa said Indian army’s claim of hitting or killing any Pakistani soldier/Ranger with firing at anytime at LoC/working boundary are absolutely false. He went on to say that India resorted to unprovoked firing which was dealt by Pakistani soldiers.

A statement of India’s BSF earlier claimed that seven Pakistani Rangers were killed and three others were injured as BSF retaliated to mortar shelling and small arms fire from across the border. "During intermittent firing of small arms and area weapons one militant and seven Rangers were shot dead," the BSF said.

According to senior officials of the Punjab Rangers, the BSF violated the ceasefire pact and started unprovoked mortar shelling at Chak Amru, Pindi Pomiyaan and surrounding villages in Shakargarh Sector along the Sialkot Working Boundary at 9am, which continued for half an hour. The BSF again resorted to unprovoked shelling on these villages at 11am and this spell continued for about two hours.

The BSF also started unprovoked firing at the border villages of Bajwat Sector, targeting civilian population in Phookaliyaan and nearby villages. The firing continued for 15 minutes. The Rangers officials stated the BSF used automatic weapons and also fired mortar shells. Several shells landed in local fields, but could not explode.

The Punjab Rangers retaliated in a befitting manner, silencing Indian guns. No loss of life or any injury was reported, the Rangers officials said.