BSF officer killed in blast near Jammu (Lead)

A senior Border Security Force (BSF) officer was killed and three troopers were injured Monday in a blast close to an India-Pakistan border post in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said here.

The officer who was killed was a Deputy Inspector General of the BSF. His identity was not disclosed immediately.

The officer was inspecting Balad post, nearly 45 km southwest of Jammu, to verify details of a reported infiltration bid from Pakistan when his vehicle was blown up by a powerful blast.

Of the three BSF personnel injured, one is said to be in critical condition, officials said.