Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 9: Even as Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan and BSF and Rangers today revived their inter-actions and contacts after several months, Pakistan army violated ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district in which an Army jawan was martyred.
DGMOs of India and Pakistan this morning held first inter-action since September 29, 2016 surgical strikes by India inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in which Indian side voiced deep concern over movement of militants on Pakistan side of the LoC and wanted the neighbouring country to take all steps to rein-in the ultras while BSF also held first high-level Sector Commandant level contact with Rangers after October-November, 2016 firing and shelling in which BSF discussed infiltration attempts by the militants and digging of tunnels.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Pakistan army violated ceasefire by resorting to firing at Khari Karmara along the LoC in Poonch district at 1.30 pm today i.e. soon after the DGMO and Sector Commander level talks between the two countries. The firing lasted 15 minutes and was replied by the Indian side. An Army jawan was injured in the firing and later succumbed to his injuries.
The martyr jawan has been identified as Sepoy Gadage Deep Jagannath, 27. He was reportedly hit by a sniper shot from across the LoC during Pakistani firing, sources said. Body of the martyr has been kept in the Hospital and would be shifted to his native State tomorrow with full military honours.
In the morning, DGMO Lt Gen AK Bhatt and his Pakistani counterpart had first hotline contact since September 29, 2016 surgical strikes by India in which troops had entered four places in PoK from Jammu and Kashmir and eliminated around 50 militants on other side of the LoC.
The Indian DGMO, according to sources, talked tough with his Pakistani counterpart on movement of militants along LoC on Pakistan side opposite Jammu and Kashmir and attempts by the militants to infiltrate into this side with support of Pakistan army.
The DGMO wanted Pakistan army to take all steps to prevent infiltration by the militants along LoC for maintaining peace on the LoC and borders as intrusions could vitiate the atmosphere between the two neighbours.
According to sources, troops had been observing movement of the militants on Pakistan side of the LoC for the past few days and a high alert has been sounded to stop infiltration by the militants, who wanted to enter J&K to indulge in subversive activities.
“Pakistan has been conveyed India’s concern over movement of the militants in very strong terms,’’ sources said.
They added that this was the first contact between Indo-Pak DGMOs after September 29 surgical strikes.
Meanwhile, the BSF and Rangers also held Sector Commander level flag meeting in Suchetgarh sector along the International Border in RS Pura from 11.20 am to 1.20 pm.
The BSF delegation was led by PS Dhiman, DIG BSF Jammu sector and Pakistan side by Brig Amjad Hussain, Sector Commander, Chenab Rangers, Sialkot. Both sides had 18 members each in the delegation.
Sources said the BSF took up various issues including infiltration attempts by the militants especially the one in Bobiya Sector in October, snipping incident in which constable Gurnam Singh was martyred, detection of tunnel in Ramgarh sector and return of Jammu and Kashmir Police constable Sohan Lal, who had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan in 2014.
“Both the sides decided to re-energize instant communication between Field Commanders, whenever required, to resolve the issues,’’ sources said.
They added that the meeting was held in cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere and both sides agreed for expeditious implementation of the decisions taken in earlier meetings. They committed to maintain peace and tranquility along the International Border.
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