Violation of Bilateral Agreements, Says MEA As BSF Jawan Killed in Pakistan Firing in J&K

After a Border Security Force (BSF) head constable was killed in firing by Pakistan Rangers, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday it is a violation of our bilateral agreements.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Baghchi said that the BSF took up the issue in the recent incidents in flag meetings with the Pakistani side.

“The incidents of ceasefire violations and cross-border infiltration by drone or firing, it is a violation of our bilateral agreements. We always take up in front of Pakistan… The BSF took up the issue in the recent incidents in flag meetings with the Pakistani side. We have also put the issue in front of them through various bilateral channels…,” Bagchi said.

A BSF head constable was killed on Thursday in firing by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border in Ramgarh sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district. The jawan suffered a bullet injury and succumbed to injuries during treatment.

Top sources confirmed to News18 that the head constable was killed in a sniper attack, with officials saying he was targeted by the Pakistan Rangers personnel who fired at him. According to officials, this constitutes a clear case of ceasefire violation and official confirmation is expected to come later from top security officials.

Sources told News18 that the sniper attack shows Pakistan Rangers are deliberately targeting the BSF and clearly violating the ceasefire agreement. Sources said such attemps were made earlier too.

“On night intervening of 8/9 Nov 2023, during the unprovoked firing resorted to by Pakistan Rangers in Ramgarh area which was befittingly responded by BSF troops, 01 BSF personnel has been injured and subsequently succumbed to injuries (sic),” BSF spokesperson said in a press statement. The BSF also retaliated to the unprovoked firing and gave a befitting reply to Pakistan Rangers, the force

said.

Top-level sources confirmed that the incident has triggered high alerts across India-Pak border areas and other forces have also raised alerts post the ceasefire violation.

Sources said troops have been asked to remain on alert and wear proper gear to avoid any casualty. A detailed SoP has been revised and instructions have been given to all the troops guarding the border in case Pakistan violates the ceasefire agreement again. The signed ceasefire agreement came into effect on February 25, 2021.