Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, Nov 13 (KINS): Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, reviewed the situation along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir with the top security officials.
Five security personnel were among nine persons killed in multiple ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) from Gurez sector to Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, officials said.
Three civilians were killed in Kamalkote sector in Uri area of Baramulla district while a woman was killed in Balkote area in Haji Pir sector of Uri, they said. “The number could go up as several people have sustained injuries,” they added.
Top sources told Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that both the Home Minister and Defence Minister denounced the killings and took stock of the situation along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Top officials of the ministries of Home and Defence, briefed Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh on the latest situation along the Line of Control, sources told KINS.
Sources said that a possible strategy to deal with the Pakistan shelling, infiltration along the LoC was also discussed.
“The top security brass also briefed both the ministers about steps already taken to counter “firing by Pakistani forces and possible infiltration on LOC,” sources said.
Sources said that security forces have been asked to remain all-out alert.
The Border Security Force (BSF) under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs and the Indian Armed Forces under the management of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Government of India are deployed on Line of control in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said that in Nambla sector in Uri, two Army soldiers were killed in the Pakistani firing.
A BSF sub-inspector was also killed in Haji Peer sector while a jawan was injured, they said.
Two civilians were killed in Kamalkote sector in Uri area of Baramulla district while a woman was killed in Balkote area in Haji Peer sector of Uri, they added.
The officials said several persons were injured in the Pakistani aggression.
They said apart from various places in Uri, the ceasefire violations were reported from Izmarg in Gurez sector of Bandipora district and Keran sector of Kupwara district.
A defence spokesman said the Army foiled an infiltration bid, which was aided by the ceasefire violation, along the LoC in the Keran sector.
“Suspicious movement was observed by our troops at the forward posts along the LoC in Keran sector (in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district) today. The suspected infiltration bid was foiled by alert troops,” Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said.
“They fired mortars and other weapons. Befitting response is being given,” he said.(KINS)
LOC Flare-up: Home, Defence Minister take stock of situation
