Jammu: BSF jawan injured in unprovoked firing by Pakistan troops
A Border Security Force (BSF) personnel was injured on Wednesday during an unprovoked firing incident by Pakistani troops in the Akhnoor area of Jammu, violating a ceasefire agreement along the border. The BSF retaliated, but casualties on the Pakistani side were not immediately known. "On September 11, 2024, at about 02:35am incident of unprovoked firing in Akhnoor area from across the border happened and which was befittingly responded by the BSF," said a statement from BSF.
Ceasefire violations rare since 2021 agreement renewal
Since the ceasefire agreement was renewed on February 25, 2021, ceasefire violations between India and Pakistan have been rare. However, a BSF jawan was killed last year in firing by Pakistan Rangers in the Ramgarh sector. This marked the first loss of life on the Indian side in over three years. The latest violation comes just days before the first phase of the three-phase assembly elections scheduled for September 18.
Election security heightened amid terror threats
The Union government has mobilized paramilitary forces ahead of the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in a decade. This decision was made particularly due to an increase in terror attacks in the hilly and rugged Jammu region since June. It is believed that between 60 to 80 terrorists infiltrated the Jammu region in March-April this year, leading security forces to intensify counter-insurgency operations.
