Keralite soldier killed, two injured in Pak firing along LoC in Rajouri

Srinagar: A Malayali army jawan was killed in the attack of Pakistani troops in the border area. The deceased is identified as Kollam Anchal native Aneesh Thomas.

The relatives came to know about his death only on Wednesday early morning. It is learnt that the Pak troops started firing and shelling on Tuesday afternoon killing Aneesh and injuring two other jawans.

Aneesh Thomas reached Jammu Kashmir as part of the Rashtriya Rifles. The family was informed that the vehicle in which Aneesh was patrolling was attacked by the Pak troops. 

Son of Kadakkal native Thomas and Ammini, Aneesh has been in the army for the past 16 years. He is survived by wife and a 6-year-old daughter. Aneesh was planning return home on September 25.

The body has been taken to Delhi from the incident spot and it will be carried to Thiruvananthapuram via flight on Thursday and later will be brought to his native place in Kadakkal.

The jawan was killed and two others were injured on Tuesday after Pakistani troops fired with small arms and shelled mortars along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, according to the officials.

The Indian Army launched a befitting retaliation to the Pakistani firing and shelling in Sunderbani sector, they said.

"Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars. Some injuries have been reported (on our side),” a defence spokesperson said based on preliminary information.

However, official sources said three army personnel, including an officer, were injured in the incident and later one of the soldiers succumbed to the injuries.

The officer, along with another soldier, is undergoing treatment at the military hospital, the sources said. The Pakistani army has also suffered casualties in the retaliatory action but details are awaited, the sources said.

(With inputs from PTI)