In a sudden escalation of provocation across the International Border, Pakistani Rangers violated the ceasefire again with heavy firing and mortar shelling overnight that targeted nine Border Outposts (BoPs) of BSF and civilian areas in Samba district. Two civilians were injured in the firing.

IANS reports that three cows were also killed on Saturday in firing by Pakistan Rangers in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba and Kathua districts, police said.

"Two civilians identified as Surinder Kumar and Rohit Kumar were injured in Pakistan shelling in Mawa village of Samba district today (Saturday)," a senior police officer told IANS in Jammu.

"More than a dozen villages are being targeted by Pakistan Rangers through indiscriminate shelling and firing in Samba district and Pakistan has now started unprovoked firing at a few places in Kathua district also."

The official added: "Three cows were killed and one injured while the animals were grazing in open fields in Samba district." A mini-bus was also damaged in Pakistan shelling, "but luckily nobody was inside when the vehicle was hit".

Earlier, Pakistan Rangers started unprovoked firing on the international border in Samba district of Jammu region, targeting Border Security Force (BSF) border posts. "Bobiya border outpost of the BSF was damaged in Pakistan shelling in Kathua district," the official said.

"Pak Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing on BSF posts along IB in Samba sector from 2025 hours last night", a BSF officer said in Jammu on Saturday. He added that BSF troops retaliated effectively.

PTI, quoting the officer, reported that the Rangers fired on nine BoPs of BSF along IB in areas between River Basantar and River Treva in Samba sector,  using 82, 82 and 51 mm mortar bombs at a few places along IB.

On Friday, Pakistani troops broke a month-long quiet spell to resume the border provocations.  A civilian was killed and two others were injured on Friday evening when Pakistani troops indulged in heavy firing along the IB in Mangu Chak border outpost.

Exchanges of fire between the BSF troops guarding the borderline were continuing with no loss of life among the BSF troops.

The ceasefire violations, which had became a routine, had stopped after the Director General (DG)-level talks between BSF and Pakistan Rangers in September last.