Three BSF jawans hurt in firing near Attari border

ATTARI (PUNJAB): Three BSF jawans were injured when smugglers from across the border fired at their patrol vehicle along the Indo-Pak border near the Attari-Wagah crossing area.

Officials said the incident occurred around 1 AM when troops of the 163rd battalion of the Border Security Force were out on patrol on a Tata-407 vehicle near the Bhikiwind post, which is about 16 kms from the retreat ceremony area here.

Giving details of the firing incident, DIG RPS Jaswal said when BSF troops were getting off the truck for duty , Pakistani smugglers, who were already hiding on the Indian side, opened indiscriminate firing that left three jawans injured.

BSF, in retaliation, also fired gunshots towards the Pakistani smugglers.

During cross firing, three BSF jawans received bullet injuries and were admitted to government hospital, where they were declared out of danger.

Two jawans received superficial injuries on their back, while the driver of the truck received severe bullet injury on the thigh.

DIG said that Pakistani smugglers used AK 47 rifles during the attack.

Some Indian smugglers were also present at the spot and BSF has launched a hunt to trace them, officials said.

BSF would lodge a protest with Pakistani Rangers over the incident during a flag meeting in the evening at the Joint Check Post at Attari/Wagah border.

The DIG said the Pakistani smugglers were here probably for a drug or ammunition deal with Indian smugglers.

However, he said there has been no recovery of drug or ammunition from the spot and a search operation was still on.

The DIG also appreciated the role of the driver, who despite being injured, helped shift other jawans to a safer place.

BSF has found many empty fired shells from the fencing area.

The BSF has stepped up vigil in the area and senior officers of BSF's Punjab frontier have reached the area where the incident took place, they said.