Two army jawans martyred, two civilians killed in Pakistan firing

Jammu: An Indian Army soldier was killed on Friday in a ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, on a day when a BSF trooper and two Indian civilians were killed in firing along the international border.

According to the army, Pakistan initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing with small arms, automatic weapons and mortars around 1.30 p.m in Sunderbani sector along the LoC, which the Indian Army retaliated "strongly and effectively".

In the exchange of fire, Lance Naik Sam Abraham was grievously injured and later succumbed to his injuries.

The 34-year-old soldier hailed from Poonakam of Allepey in Kerala and is survived by his wife Anu Mathew and a 22-month-old daughter.

"Lance Naik Sam Abraham was a brave and sincere soldier. The national will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," the Indian Army said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, a BSF trooper and two civilians were killed and three others injured in indiscriminate firing and shelling by Pakistan Rangers on the international border.

Police said BSF Head Constable Jagpal Singh, injured in Samba district, succumbed to his injuries.

Two civilians were killed and three others were injured in Pakistani shelling on civilian facilities in Arnia sub-sector of R.S. Pura in Jammu district.

The injured civilians were shifted to a hospital.

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