Two rockets fired from Pakistan into Punjab

Gurdaspur: Indian and Pakistani troopers exchanged gunfire after two rockets were fired into Indian Punjab from Pakistan, Border Security Force (BSF) officials said here on Monday.

BSF Punjab range Deputy Inspector General Jagir Singh told IANS that the rocket attack on Sunday night in Bhamial sector of Gurdaspur district was followed by automatic gunfire.

"Two rockets were fired from the Pakistan side on Sunday night. It was followed by weapon firing into Indian territory. Rifle firing is very rare from Pakistan and it happened after a long time," Singh said.

He added: "Our officials (BSF) retaliated and we fired around 800 to 900 rounds. In the past also there has been rocket firing from Pakistan side but till date they have not taken any action against the culprits and nothing substantial has come out of their investigation."

According to the BSF, nearly 15 rocket shells were fired from Pakistan towards the Amritsar area in June and September last year and in January this year.

Besides, cases of illegal infiltration and smuggling across the border are also on the rise.

During the last month alone, in two separate incidents on the border, BSF officials gunned down three Pakistani intruders and recovered 26 kg heroin and fake Indian currency with a face value of Rs.83 lakh.

In the meantime, BSF has lodged a protest with their border counterparts Pakistan Rangers and demanded immediate action against the miscreants.

"Taking cognizance of last night's firing we have registered a strong protest with Pakistan Rangers today (Monday) and we have demanded a thorough probe into this incident. We are waiting for a concrete reply from their side." Singh said.

"We have increased patrolling near the border and beefed up security in the entire area," he added.

BSF guards 553-kilometer long fenced international border with Pakistan that passes through Punjab.

Last month a 15-member delegation from Pakistan - including representatives of Pakistan Rangers - had come to Amritsar to participate in the four-day biannual meeting, March 28-31, with the top brass of BSF to discuss issues pertaining to border security.