India, Pak troops exchange fire

Indian troops on Saturday foiled an infiltration bid by a group of armed militants, who tried to enter a border district in Jammu and Kashmir under the cover of firing by the Pakistani forces, a BSF spokesman said.

Pakistani Rangers opened fire on Chak Fagwari Border Out Post (BOP) along the International Border in Pargwal sub-sector of Jammu frontier in the wee hours on Saturday, the spokesman said.

He said a big group of militants tried to enter into Indian territory in Zeroline area under the cover of Pakistani firing.

The militants also fired and targeted troops with grenades, he said, adding that BSF troops and patrol parties retaliated the firing from the other side.

The exchange of fire continued for nearly an hour, he said, adding that BSF troops also fired mortar bombs on militants.

BSF troops beat back the infiltration bid as the militants later escaped to the Pakistani side. There was no loss of life or injury in the cross-border firing and searches are being conducted in the area. The Pakistani troops also committed ceasefire violation, he said.

Earlier on August 25, three militants had infiltrated along Kanachak area after cutting fencing under cover of Pakistani firing. They were later killed in a gunbattle at Chinore area of Jammu which also left five civilians and three jawans dead.