New Delhi: Pakistan resorted to fresh “unprovoked firing” late on Friday night triggering heavy BSF retaliation. Several posts of the BSF were attacked in Samba and Hiranagar sectors of the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The firing and mortar shelling by Pakistani Rangers has come from Razab Sheed, Asif Sheed, Chak Bhura, New Pak and Dhandhar Posts, according to reports.

In New Delhi, the Union home ministry said, “Firing without provocation has started from Pakistani side.” Home minister Rajnath Singh is monitoring the situation and has asked the BSF to give a “suitable response.”

Read | Ceasefire violation: Pakistan Army moves forward despite India’s strong retaliation

Clearly on the backfoot after India’s border guarding forces gave a befitting reply to the repeated ceasefire violations, Pakistan on Friday upped the offensive by rejecting India’s “protest note” over the killing of a BSF jawan by the Pakistan Rangers in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and resorted to “arm-twisting” tactics at the diplomatic level demanding New Delhi initiate a probe into the killing of its soldiers in BSF firing.

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Ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Ramgarh Sector (Barota Camp) of Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

According to reports from Islamabad, in a desperate bid to put the ball in New Delhi’s court, Pakistan Prime Minister’s adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz on Friday wrote to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, protesting the killing of its soldiers in BSF firing and sought an immediate probe into the incident.

Read | Ceasefire violation: Pakistan troops keep firing

Incidentally, while Islamabad is using the highest diplomatic channels to protest against the killing of Rangers, the Pakistan Rangers have not lodged any official protest with the BSF over the matter so far.

India has swiftly rejected Pakistan’s allegations, with MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeting, “In the meeting with Pakistan’s foreign secretary, India’s High Commissioner in Islamabad rejected as baseless, the allegations in the letter given today.”

Read | Pakistan not quiet even on New Year’s eve, began firing at midnight: Defence Minister on ceasefire violation

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Accusing Pakistan of trying to push terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said that there is no doubt that the firing by Pakistani soldiers is being used as a cover to push terrorists into the country. Mr Singh al-so said the BSF saying it is only giving a “befitting reply” to Pakistan firing.