Loc News

In yet another ceasefire violation on Monday, at least 4 people were killed and 25 others injured, after Pak troops fired at BSF posts and also targeted civilian areas in Arnia sector of J&K. On October 1 and 2, Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire two times along the LoC in Poonch district resulting in injuries to six people.

Due to tensions prevailing on the border, the traditional exchange of sweets between Indian and Pakistani troops along the Wagah border on Eid was called off. As per official sources, the Pakistan side refused the exchange. It is understood that the prevailing tension along J&K border due to unprovoked firing incidents from their side is the reason, the sources said.

Indian and Pakistan security forces in Jammu and Kashmir exchanged firing across the international border in J&K's Jammu and Samba districts late on Monday after the latter breached the ceasefire for the 17th time this month. The firing, which injured three people, affected as many as 40 PSF BoPs, BSF spokesperson Vinod Yadav said on Tuesday.

Amid cross-border firing in J&K, Indian and Pakistani top military officials discussed the ceasefire violations along the LoC and International Border Tuesday. Officials of the Directorate Generals of Military Operations talked for 5-minute during which both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire. Notably, Six persons have been killed and 50 others injured in the ceasefire violations in Oct.

Fresh firing by Pakistan in Samba (Jammu) along the International Border on Wednesday killed two, taking the death toll in ceasefire violations up to seven. Six others including a BSF personnel have also been injured in the firing. To quote DG BSF DK Pathak, "We have been retaliating very strongly. People have been advised to remain inside their houses."

Union home minister Rajnath Singh Thursday said, "The Prime Minister is keeping a close eye on the situation. He does not need to speak as our Army and BSF personnel are giving a befitting response and we are satisfied with it". Furthermore he assured the people that the government "will not let down our country".

Kathua (Jammu) deputy commissioner Shahid Iqbal Thursday said, "16 relief camps have been established in Kathua where around 6000 people have migrated from 43 border villages in view of heavy shelling across International Border in Hiranagar sector". A total of 57 villages have been affected directly or indirectly due to cross border firing, he added.

Addressing an election rally in Maharashtra on Thursday, PM Narendra Modi said, "We have responded with courage to the ceasefire violations." Hitting out at his political opponents, he added, "Issues like ceasefire violations should not be a matter of debate for political gains." Opposition parties accused him of not paying enough attention to the emerging tensions on the Kashmir border.

A day after PM Narendra Modi and his government took a tough stand and warned Pakistan that it would pay an “unaffordable price for its adventurism”, firing by Pakistan along the International Border in J&K saw a sharp decline on Friday. Eight people have died so far and over 60 injured in heavy firing by Pakistan this week.

Commenting on the decline in cross-border firing by Pakistan, PM Narendra Modi Friday said, "Pakistan has got a befitting lesson. They will not dare to repeat it again. Our jawans have shut their mouth." He assured that those living close to the border, who had to leave their house due to the firing, will be adequately compensated by the Centre.

After a brief lull, Pakistan again violated the ceasefire along the LoC on Saturday in Shahpur sector of Poonch in J&K and targeted four Indian posts. Pakistan has violated the ceasefire several times in October, killing 7 Indians and injuring 50 others. Last time, Pakistan rangers targeted four BSF Posts along the International Border on Thursday night.

A fresh and heavy exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani forces was reported along the International Border in J&K's Arnia Sector on Sunday morning. One person was injured in the shelling. The International Border has witnessed heavy firing between October 1 and October 9; 8 people have been killed and over 90 injured in the violence.

In a move to internationalise the Kashmir issue, Pakistan has written to UN chief Ban ki-moon, seeking his intervention on the security situation along the LoC and the International Border with India. In the letter, Pakistan has accused India of "deliberate and unprovoked violations of the ceasefire agreement and cross-border firing" over the past weeks.

Pakistan's efforts to seek UN intervention on the Kashmir issue, thus attempting to internationalise it, have failed to draw any response from the UN. UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, in a statement, encouraged India and Pakistan to resolve all differences through dialogue and engage constructively to find a long-term solution for peace and stability in Kashmir.

In an effort to resolve the ongoing border tension, senior army officers of India and Pakistan spoke on Tuesday over the hotline, a Pakistani military official said. "The director military operations contacted today with Indian army to discuss the border situation," said the official. Pakistan conveyed concern to India over consistent "unprovoked firing" along the LOC, he added.

In another incident of ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Poonch district of J&K on Wednesday. Pakistani troops also targeted forward areas in Kirni and Shahpur belts. No injuries were reported in the cross-border firing. A Defence Spokesman said the troops retaliated to the Pakistani firing.

In another incident of ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops fired at Indian Army posts along the LoC in Hamirpur sector in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on late Thursday night. Small arms firing continued for about 90 minutes. No injuries have been reported so far. Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistani troops had resorted to mortar shelling and firing in Poonch district.

Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire and resorted to small arms and automatic weapons firing on Indian posts along the LoC in Hamirpur sector of Poonch district of J&K on Friday night. Indian troops gave a befitting reply to the Pakistani firing, resulting in exchanges. There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing.

The resolution of Kashmir issue was crucial for the establishment of sustainable peace in the region, Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif said Saturday. Further, he said that the people of Kashmir should be allowed to decide their own fate in light of the UN resolutions. "We desire regional stability and relationship based on equality and mutual respect," he said.

With firing from the Pakistan side refusing to stop in J&K, the villagers along the border have resorted to digging bunkers to protect themselves. "We have started digging these bunkers so that we remain safe," said a villager. The village sarpanch has advised all 120 homes in the village to dig up bunkers and protect themselves from firing.