A Border Security Force (BSF) constable, identified as Devender Kumar, was killed in a ceasefire violation by the Pakistani Army along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, a senior BSF official said on Tuesday.

According to reports, Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing on Monday night on forward posts in the Manguchak area, which was retaliated to by the jawans guarding the IB.

The heavy firing reportedly continued for an hour during which Constable Devender was hit by a stray bullet through a loophole of his picket. Despite the constable being immediately evacuated to a hospital, he did not survive.

Devender Kumar, a Border Security Force (BSF) Constable, who lost his life in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Samba sector #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/nqNJAH9C3u

— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2018

The incident at the IB comes barely 24 hours after the BSF noticed suspicious movement of 5 persons, believed to be terrorists, attempting to cross into India from along the IB in Hiranagar sector of nearby Kathua district, resulting in a massive search 2-day operation.

With the death of Constable Devender, the number of persons killed due to Pakistan shelling along the IB and Line of Control (LoC) has risen to 33, the highest this year. There was a lull in firing noted along the IB in the past 3 months after intense border skirmishes in January and February.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the troubled Jammu and Kashmir state on May 19.