Army, PLA meet at 2 places in Ladakh
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 27: Pakistan army rained mortars and bullets in forward areas on the Line of Control (LoC) in three sectors including Nowshera, Krishna Ghati and Mankote in Rajouri and Poonch districts during last two days, causing injuries to an ex-serviceman while there were reports that Pakistan has suffered heavy damages during retaliatory shelling by the Indian troops.
In view of acrimony between India and Pakistan on both LoC and International Border in Jammu region in which 13 persons including seven civilians and six security personnel have been martyred, Army and BSF didn’t meet their Pakistani counterparts on the occasion of Republic Day yesterday at any place on the IB and LoC. Even, the BSF at Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar district of Punjab didn’t share sweets with the Pakistani Rangers.
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However, Sino-Indian troops met at Daulat Beg Oldie and Chushul areas in Ladakh sector in cordial atmosphere and decided to uphold treaties and agreements signed between the Governments of two sides to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Sources told the Excelsior that nearly 40 villages located close to the LoC in Nowshera, Krishna Ghati and Mankote sectors were pounded by Pakistan army with heavy shelling and firing during last two days, leading to panic among the villagers, who had no option but to confine themselves inside their houses or bunkers.
Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling targeting civilian areas and forward border posts of the Army in more than dozen villages in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district last evening. The Indian Army retaliated very effectively, leading to heavy exchanges that continued till late last night.
A mortar shell fell in the houses of ex-serviceman Tola Ram son of Ved Prakash at village Makri in Nowshera sector causing injuries to him. He was evacuated from the site of firing and shifted to hospital, where he was responding to the treatment. Several mortar shells fell close to houses in civilian areas of Nowshera in which people had very narrow escape.
This evening, Pakistani troops activated entire Krishna Ghati and Mankote sectors in Poonch district, directly targeting over two dozen villages and forward posts of the troops, drawing very heavy retaliation from the Indian Army. Exchange of shelling and firing continued till late tonight.
Sources said Pakistan was reported to have suffered heavy losses in retaliatory shelling by the Indian Army in all the three Sectors including Krishna Ghati, Mankote and Mendhar and it was in view of this that it was targeting civilian areas now to inflict casualties of common man.
The International Border in Jammu sector, however, remained calm during the Republic Day celebrations.
Sources said the Indian Army and BSF didn’t exchange sweets with their Pakistani counterparts at any place on the LoC and IB yesterday on the occasion of Republic Day in view of tension prevailing between the two countries, which had escalated during past few days with 13 killing reported on Indian side including seven civilians and six security personnel and more than two dozen, majority of them Pakistani army and Rangers, on the other side.
Meanwhile, the BSF also refused to exchange sweets and greetings with their Pakistani counterparts—the Pakistan Rangers, on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day yesterday at Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar district of Punjab.
BSF sources said it was conveyed to the Pakistan Rangers on Thursday that no sweets would be exchanged on Republic Day. Border guards of both countries follow a tradition of exchanging sweets for the past several years on major religious festivals, like Eid and Diwali, and also during Independence Days of both countries and India’s Republic Day.
In the past four to five years, border guards have skipped the exchange of sweets on a few occasions.
Meanwhile, a ceremonial Border Personnel meeting (BPM) on the occasion of 69th Republic Day of India was held at Indian BPM hut in DBO and Chushul areas of Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China.
The ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting was marked by saluting the national flag of India by members of delegations from both sides. This was followed by a ceremonial address by the delegation leaders. Delegations at both the places interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment.
The delegations parted amidst feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the LAC. Both sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling to upholding the treaties and agreement signed between the Governments of the two sides to maintain peace and tranquility along the LAC, sources said.
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