Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 11: There has been no let up in ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army on the Line of Control (LoC) in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. After shelling and firing in Sabzian and Balakote sectors of Poonch district for more than a week, Pakistan Army last night also extended the firing to Bhimber Gali sector in Rajouri district.
Official sources said Pakistan Army started heavy firing on forward posts of the Indian Army at 11.10 pm last night in Bhimber Gali using small and automatic weapons. The Indian side retaliated effectively to silence the Pakistani guns, leading to exchanges that continued for about two hours.
At Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district, Pakistan Army opens small arms firing, violating ceasefire at 1 am. Here also, the Indian side retaliated effectively and gave adequate response to the Pakistani firing.
“There were no casualties or damage on the Indian side in Pakistani firing,’’ sources said, adding that casualties or damage on Pakistani side were not known.
During past over one week, Pakistan Army had been constantly shelling and resorting to heavy firing targeting civilian areas and forward Army posts in Sabzian sector of Poonch district. On the intervening night of August 9 and 10, Pakistan Army had opened up new front in Balakote sector of Poonch by resorting to mortar firing. The previous night, they also targeted Rajouri district by firing in Bhimber Gali sector.
Troops have been maintaining high alert all along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts following reports that the Pakistan Army was trying to facilitate infiltration by the militants under the cover of shelling and firing.
PTI adds from New Delhi: Pakistan violated ceasefire 192 times along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir till July 26 this year, Government told Lok Sabha today, adding that measures have been put in place for “immediate and effective retaliation” to such provocations.
The House was also informed that the Centre proposes to have a provision for giving Rs 5 lakh compensation, in addition to what the State Government pays, to the families of those who get killed in firing from across the border.
In 2015 till July 26, there were 192 ceasefire violations along the International Border in J&K which resulted in death of three civilians and one BSF personnel, Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said in a written reply.
22 people were injured while 7,110 persons were temporarily affected and 50 houses were damaged, he said.
Last year, there were 430 ceasefire violations that killed 14 people, including 12 civilians and two BSF personnel, besides affecting 2.08 lakh people, Chaudhary said.
There were 148 ceasefire violations that killed two BSF personnel in 2013. In 2012, as many as 21 such violations were witnessed that killed one civilian and two BSF personnel, the Minister said.
In the past few days also, there have been ceasefire violations on the J&K border.
To check ceasefire violations and ensure safety of people, the Government has put in place various measures including “immediate and effective retaliation by BSF personnel” to instances of unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations.
“Diplomatically, India has repeatedly emphasised, including at the highest level, the need for Pakistan to uphold the sanctity of the Line of Control (LoC) and abide by the ceasefire commitment of 2003 along the International Border and LoC,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel