Terming the ceasefire violations by Pakistan as "utter frustration", Inspector General Border Security Force, Jammu frontier Rakesh Sharma said India will launch a strong protest over the firing along the International Border. One BSF soldier has been killed and another injured in the "unprovoked firing" by Pakistan Rangers.

"Pakistan has violated the norms on international border. We are going to lodge strong protest against them. They targeted around 15 posts and we responded to the firing. This is a planned execution by the Pakistan army. This is the utter frustration by Pakistan," Sharma said.

Sharma said that many terrorists are waiting to sneak into the Indian side in Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan. "There are about 50-60 terrorists at the launch pads on the other side waiting at the international border but we are fully prepared," he said adding that security measures have been intensified on the Indian side to check any untoward incident.

Earlier in the day, Home Minister Rajanth Singh had expressed hope that issues between India and Pakistan would be resolved soon. "Our diplomats are talking with officials in Pakistan. Talks are on. I think Pakistan will come on the right track, if not today then tomorrow," he said.

After one BSF soldier and four Pakistani Rangers were killed on Regal post in Samba on Wednesday, the Pakistani Rangers yet again fired on 15 border outposts in Samba sector late on Wednesday night which continued till early hours on Thursday, drawing retaliation from the BSF.

"Pakistani rangers resorted to firing on 12 to 13 BoPs along the IB in Samba sector overnight. The BSF also retaliated, resulting in exchanges which continued till 0600 hours today," ," Sharma said adding that there have been no casualities or injuries in the incident.

On Wednesday, Pakistani Rangers had waved white flags asking BSF to stop the firing so that they can lift the bodies of their dead men. Honouring their request, the BSF had stopped the firing and allowed them to come to the border line and lift the bodies.

Thursday's firing by Pakistan was the third ceasefire violation along the International Border in the past three days and seventh in last eight days.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad alleging that India had violated ceasefire.

Source: IBN