BSF detains Pakistani Ranger, heavy cross-border firing reported

India's Border Security Force (BSF) has detained a Pakistani Ranger from the international border in the northern state of Rajasthan, according to a report by Indian news outlet NDTV.

The identity of the detained Pakistani personnel has not yet been revealed, and he is currently being held by the BSF's Rajasthan Frontier.

This incident follows the detention of Indian BSF constable Purnam Kumar Sahu by Pakistan on April 23.

Sahu had reportedly strayed across the border in Punjab's Firozpur sector while on duty guarding farmers. Despite multiple diplomatic meetings, Pakistan has not yet confirmed a timeline or stance on his release.

Shortly after the Pakistani Ranger's detention, intense cross-border firing erupted between Indian and Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.

Indian military sources claim that Pakistani troops opened unprovoked fire across multiple sectors, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Nowshera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor. Indian forces reportedly responded with "appropriate retaliation."

NDTV described the clashes as among the most intense in recent times, with simultaneous involvement of multiple Pakistani posts. No casualties have been reported so far.

The spike in tensions comes shortly after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people — the deadliest such incident since the 2019 Pulwama attack.

In the wake of that attack, cross-border hostility has intensified, with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan retaliating by suspending the Shimla Agreement and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft.

Amid this volatile atmosphere, Pakistan on Saturday conducted a test launch of the "Abdali" ballistic missile, with a reported range of 450 kilometers.

Pakistani authorities claim the launch was part of routine military drills under the "Sindh Maneuvers" exercise. However, Indian officials have labeled it a "blatant provocation."