News Analysis India

Tag: Ceasefire violation

  • No ceasefire violation along LoC in Kashmir since February agreement: Indian Army officer

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: There has been no ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir since the reiteration of the agreement between the armies of India and Pakistan in February this year, a top Army official here said on Monday.

    General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps or Chinar Corps, Lt Gen D P Pandey, said there have been some infiltration attempts, but unlike previous years they have not been ‘adequately supported’ by ceasefire violations.

    “The ceasefire violations have not increased. This year there has been none (ceasefire violation). At least in the Kashmir Valley, there has been zero,” the GoC told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

    Lt Gen Pandey said while there has been no instigation from Pakistan, the Indian Army is totally alert and prepared to respond appropriately to any ceasefire violation.

    “We are totally prepared for ceasefire violations, if anything happens, we are all set to respond appropriately. But, frankly, there has been no instigation from across the border,” he said.

    Asked about infiltration attempts made by militants from across the LoC this year, the Army officer said there have hardly been any successful attempts.

    “There have been some attempts. Unlike previous years, these have not been adequately supported (by ceasefire violations). There have hardly been any successful attempts, only about two attempts have succeeded. One was neutralised in Bandipora and we are looking for the second one,” he said.

    Referring to the search operation launched by the Army along the LoC in Uri sector in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, the GoC said the operation has been ongoing for the last 24 hours after “we felt that there is an infiltration attempt which has been made”.

    “We are looking for them….are they on this side or have gone back after making an attempt, that issue has not yet been clarified or verified on the ground,’ he said.

    Lt Gen Pandey, however, said the force was alert to foil any infiltration attempt.

    “I can assure you that we are quite alert . Our troops on the ground are totally alert and we will ensure that minimal infiltration takes place whenever they attempt,” he said.

    India and Pakistan had agreed to the strict observance of all agreements, understandings and ceasefire along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from the February 24-25 midnight 2021.

    Earlier, the GOC Chinar Corps felicitated students of the first and second batches of the Army’s Kashmir Super 30 (Medical) course who are now successfully pursuing MBBS and other courses after clearing the NEET.

  • Youth joining terrorism in Kashmir comes down, LoC reports no ceasefire violation since February end

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The Valley of Kashmir (UT of J&K) seems to be witnessing a phase of relative peace as per the data shared by the armed forces. While the number of youth joining various terror organisations has decreased substantially, the ceasefire violations have witnessed a sharp decline.

    As per sources till June 1 only 58 youth picked up guns which were 81 in the corresponding period of the year 2020. A total of 166 locals from Kashmir had joined terrorism in 2020 with 119 joining in 2019.

    In various operations up to 8 July this year, the Army sources said to have neutralised 68 Terrorists. The figures in the corresponding period last year were 127.

    “For the forces, the good part is that the number of youth picking guns is lesser than the number of terrorists killed in the same period,” told the source.

    The decrease of terrorist-related activities on various parameters is also attributed to this year’s February 25 reiteration of the Ceasefire Violation agreement which has not been violated by the Pakistan Army, confirmed the source.

    As per the figures shared there have been only 592 Ceasefire Violations (CFV) this year and those all were prior to ceasefire agreement. The decline stands out as the violations in the year 2020 in the corresponding period (till July 1, 2020) was 2301. 

    If the same is compared with the previous years’ data, the decline is noteworthy. There were 4,635 CFVs in the year 2020 and it was 3233 in 2019.

    The forces are not putting their guards down as the terrorists have not stopped the activities. There were 57 Terrorist Initiated Incidents (TIIs) this year till 01 July which stood at 68 in the corresponding period in the year 2020. There were 173 TIIs in 2019 and it was 142 in 2020.

    The soldiers along the 740 km long Line of Control continue with the same drills which they used to follow before the February CFV reiteration.

  • Pakistani troops violate ceasefire, open fire at BSF men in Arnia sector of J&K

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Pakistani troops on Wednesday morning violated the border ceasefire agreement and fired at BSF men in the Arnia sector of Jammu and Kashmir, a spokesperson said further adding that the incident took place when the security forces personnel were conducting area maintenance. 

    The BSF men also retaliated and the exchange of fire between the two sides continued for a few minutes. 

    This is the second instance of border ceasefire violation since the February 25 agreement of India and Pakistan militaries to strictly adhere to Nov 2003 border ceasefire pact. 

    The International Border and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir have been calm and quiet since February 25 in a relief to the residents of these regions. They have resumed their daily chores and farming close to the IB in Jammu region.

  • Pakistan Rangers violate ceasefire, open fire at BSF men along International Border in J&K

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Pakistan military on Monday morning violated the ceasefire and opened fire on the BSF in Ramgarh sector in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. 

    This is the first-ever ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the International Border after the two countries signed an agreement on February 24. 

    A BSF spokesperson told The New Indian Express that Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing in Ramgarh sector along the International Border of Samba district at around 6.15 am.

    “The Pakistani troops fired on the BSF patrol party ahead of the border fencing,” he said.

    The spokesman said the border guards also retaliated and there was no loss of life or injury to BSF men during the exchange of gunfire.

    India and Pakistan released a joint statement announcing a ceasefire along LoC from February 25, following talks between their Directors General of Military Operations. The two countries had agreed to adhere to the November 2003 border ceasefire pact strictly. 

  • Two Jammu and Kashmir policemen receive awards for saving lives during Pakistan ceasefire violations

    By PTI
    JAMMU: Two policemen received ‘Jeevan Raksha Padak’ awards on Saturday for saving the lives of civilians during ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir in March 2018, an official said.

    Selection Grade Constable Maqsood Ahmad in Poonch district police and Follower Zakir Hussain of sixth battalion J&K Armed Police (JKAP) were awarded ‘Jeevan Raksha Padak 2019’ by the Union Home Ministry last year.

    Poonch Deputy Commissioner Rahul Yadav and Senior Superintendent of Police Ramesh Kumar Angral handed over the awards to the policemen in a function at Dak Bungalow, Poonch, the police official said.

    He said the award comprises a medal, certificate and cash reward of Rs 1 lakh. The function was attended by other senior civil and police officers of the district who appreciated the role of police personnel for their bravery.

  • Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC and IB in Jammu and Kashmir

    By PTI
    JAMMU: Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Rajouri and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday.

    There was, however, no report of damage on the Indian side, the officials said.

    “At about 12.30 pm (Saturday), Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling mortars along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri. Indian Army retaliates befittingly,” a defence spokesperson said.

    The officials said the cross-border firing between the two sides was going on when last reports were received.

    In another ceasefire violation, Pakistani Rangers fired on forward posts and villages along the IB in Gurnam border outpost area in Hira Nagar sector of Kathua district, they said.

    The firing from the Pakistan side started around 11 pm on Friday and continued till 12.30 am on Saturday, the officials said.

  • Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in J&K’s Poonch 

    By PTI
    JAMMU: The Pakistan Army Sunday violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing and intense mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said.

    The firing and shelling from across the border in Mendhar sector started at 4.15 pm, prompting a befitting retaliation by the Indian army, the spokesman said.

    He said the exchange of fire was on when the last reports came in.

    There was no report of any damage on the Indian side, the spokesman said.

  • Army jawan injured as Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch

    An Army jawan was injured when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire and resorted to firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, a defence spokesperson said Thursday.

    The Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Krishnagati sector at 9.30 pm Wednesday night, he said.

    The injured soldier was evacuated to a military hospital and is out of danger, the spokesperson said.