News Analysis India

Tag: Line of Control

  • Kashmir sees spurt in encounters after India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR:  Incidents of encounters and militancy-related violence have increased in Kashmir after the February 15 agreement between Indian and Pakistani militaries to strictly observe border ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

    According to statistics, only two encounters had taken place between militants and security forces from January 1 to February 15. However, in over a month since the ceasefire agreement, there have been at least eight encounters in the Valley.

    While only three militants were killed in the two encounters this year before February 15, a total of 16 militants including two top commanders Albadar chief Khwaja Gani and Jaish top commander Sajjad Afghani have been killed in the eight encounters since the border ceasefire pact.  

    The security forces have not lowered their guard in the Valley after the February 15 ceasefire pact, but have increased anti-militancy operations.

    Army’s Northern Command chief Lt Gen Y K Joshi has said the border ceasefire agreement with Pakistan is being strictly adhered to by the Indian Army but it would have no bearing on the counter-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Army has also said the operations against militants would continue. 

    After the border ceasefire pact, militants have carried out two attacks on security forces in Srinagar, killing two police men and two CRPF jawans.

    Besides, the son of a non-Kashmiri dhaba owner was also killed by militants in Srinagar. While only one security man died in militancy violence from January1 to February 15, six security men have been killed in militancy-related violence after the ceasefire pact. 

    Before truce pact

    Two encounters, three militants killed.
    Militants carried out one IED, three grenade attacks.
    One soldier killed in militancy violence.
    After pact

    Eight encounters, 16 militants killed.
    Militants carried out two hit-and-run attacks on security forces.
    Son of non-Kashmiri dhaba owner shot dead in Srinagar.
    Six security personnel killed.

  • LoC silent in March; terror infrastructure in Pakistan remains intact: Army Chief Gen MM Naravane

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane has evinced hope that the ceasefire reiteration at the Line of Control with Pakistan will stay. The reason being no incident of ceasefire violation has happened since the joint announcement and also because it has the Pakistan Army’s support.

    General Naravane said, “The whole month of March, we didn’t witness even a single round being fired on the LoCbarring one incident. It is for the first time in about five to six years that the LoC has been silent. This really bodes well for the future.” Chief was speaking at an event in Delhi.

    There were talks between the DsGMO (Directors General Military Operation) of India and Pakistan and a joint statement was issued on 25 Feb, agreeing to resuscitate the ceasefire understanding of 2003.

    While General Naravane said that post the resuscitation of ceasefire peace and tranquillity will be prevailing on the border and it will contribute to the peace and stability of the country.

    Army Chief attributed the ceasefire as it was prompted by the futility of duels on the LoC which was not resulting in any forward movement. Enumerating the reasons which led to it, General said, “Financial Action Task Force sanctions, domestic compulsions and situation on their (Pakistan’s) Western border with Afghanistan.” are the three reasons for Pakistan’s move for peace:

    But, the chief clarified that while peace has come to the borders, “However terror infrastructure and terrorists still remain in place and we will have to wait till the snow melts in order to see the seriousness with which Pakistanis treat this ceasefire.”

    Demonstrating hope that the ceasefire will succeed General said, “We have reasons to be hopeful as the Pakistani Army is on board. Since the firing along the LoC was done to give cover to the terrorists attempting to infiltrate and there has been no firing recently, there is cause to be optimistic about the future.”

    We need to wait and see how things develop before we make any concrete assessment, he added.

    Talking about the Line of Actual Control Army Chief stressed the need to demarcate it at the earliest.

    “Though troops from both sides have disengaged and gone back, the threat has not abated but not dissipated. Unless a substantial amount of de-escalation takes place and the troops that had come from multiple places and are currently within striking distance of the border go back, the threat remains.” Said General MM Naravane.

  • Ceasefire pact should act as stepping stone for resolving all impending issues: Omar

    India and Pakistan last month announced that ceasefire will be observed on the LoC and the International Border (IB).

  • ‘India must take first step to better bilateral ties’: Imran raises Kashmir issue again

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that the first step to improve bilateral ties was to address the Kashmir issue, reiterating that it was the only matter stopping improvement of bilateral relations. 

    “We will make efforts but India must take the first step because after August 5, till they take the first step, we cannot move forward. Our issue basically is Kashmir. We can settle it through dialogue and establish a relationship as neighbours,” Khan said at the First Islamabad Security Dialogue.

    This is first time that Imran has spoken about relations with India post the two countries’ reiteration to strictly follow the 2003 ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Imran said that India’s decision to strip Jammu and Kashmir of special status and bifurcate it into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019 was a big blow to ties and was followed by a complete breakdown in the relationship.

    “We still hope that they give the Kashmiris the rights they were given by the UN Security Council to decide their own lives. It will be as beneficial for India as for Pakistan,” he added.

    India last month said that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

    India has said the onus is on Pakistan to create an environment free of terror and hostility.

    India has also told Pakistan that “talks and terror” cannot go together and has asked Islamabad to take demonstrable steps against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India.

    Khan discussed Pakistan’s vision of comprehensive national security, built on the pillars of traditional and non-traditional security, including his vision for economic prosperity and human welfare.

    Khan dwelt at length on the issue of peace in the region, including peace between Pakistan and India, saying “the unresolved Kashmir issue was the biggest hurdle between the two countries.

    “If India gives the Kashmiris their right under the UN (resolutions), it will be greatly beneficial for Pakistan as well as for India,” he said and added, “India can access Central Asia after peace.”

    Khan said that having a direct route to the Central Asian region will economically benefit India.

    Central Asia is rich in oil and gas.

    Central Asia, in the modern context, generally includes five resource-rich countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

    Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcating it into two Union territories in August, 2019.

    India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution was its internal matter.

    The Ministry of External Affairs has also underlined that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India.

    India and Pakistan had announced on February 25 that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.

    Ties between India and Pakistan nosedived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in the neighbouring country.

    Subsequent attacks, including one on Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship.

    The relationship dipped further after India’s war planes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26, 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

    The relations deteriorated after India announced withdrawing special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two union territories.

    Talking about non-traditional threats to Pakistan, Khan said that climate change, food security and a weak economy were among the biggest challenges in the quest to realise the full concept of security.

    He acknowledged that improving the national economy was the biggest challenge but his government was trying to reduce trade deficit and control inflation so that the financial condition of common people could improve.

    “We cannot become a secure nation when a small rich minority is surrounded by the sea of poor people, National security is achieved when a nation stands up to secure itself,” he said at the dialogue organised by the National Security Division and think-tanks comprising the Advisory Board of National Security Committee.

    Khan also praised all-weather ally China for its “successful” handling of poverty and lifting more than 700 million people out of poverty in the last three decades.

    “It is their big achievement whether you like China or not,” he said.

    Khan said that Pakistan’s 25 per cent population was suffering from extreme poverty and another 25 per cent was just slightly better.

    He said the government already launched Ehsaas programme to give cash to the poor people and another programme of giving targeted subsidies to the poor was being launched.

    Khan also talked about peace in Afghanistan and reiterated support for the ongoing peace process by saying that Pakistan would be the greatest beneficiary of a stable Afghanistan.

    The Islamabad Security Dialogue is envisioned as an annual flagship security forum based on the model of major dialogues on security and international policy.

    The National Security Division, in collaboration with leading think-tanks that are part of its advisory board, has taken this initiative to provide a platform for critical thinking and robust intellectual discourse on some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities being faced by Pakistan and the wider region, according to an official statement.

    The two-day event is being attended virtually by international thinkers and scholars, members from the Federal Cabinet, diplomatic corps, former government officials, academia, think-tanks and civil society members.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Around 200 terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir; another 250 in launch pads across LoC: DGP

    The DGP said police have unearthed a number of narco-terrorism cases in 2020 and 2021 and every one of them is being investigated.

  • Satellite set for March 28 launch will help India keep an eye on borders near real-time

    By PTI
    BENGALURU: India plans to launch on March 28 an earth observation satellite that will provide it near real-time images of its borders and also enable quick monitoring of natural disasters.

    GISAT-1 is slated to be lofted into space by GSLV-F10 rocket from Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district, about 100 kms north of Chennai.

    “We are looking to launch this Geo imaging satellite on March 28, subject to weather conditions”, an official of the Bengaluru-headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) told PTI on Sunday.

    The rocket will place the spacecraft in a geosynchronous orbit.

    It will be subsequently positioned in geostationary orbit, about 36,000 kms above earth’s equator, using its onboard propulsion system.

    The launch of GISAT-1 onboard GSLV-F10 rocket was originally planned for March 5 last year but postponed a day before the blast-off due to technical reasons.

    Experts said positioning the state-of-the-art agile earth observation satellite in geostationary orbit has key advantages.

    “It’s going to be a game-changer in some sense for India”, a Department of Space official said.

    “With onboard high resolution cameras, the satellite will allow the country to monitor the Indian land mass and the oceans, particularly its borders continuously”.

    Listing the objectives of the mission, ISRO has earlier said the satellite would provide near real-time imaging of the large area region of interest at frequent intervals.

    It would help in quick monitoring of natural disasters, episodic and any short-term events.

    The third objective is to obtain spectral signatures of agriculture, forestry, mineralogy, disaster warning, cloud properties, snow and glacier and oceanography.

    GISAT-1 will facilitate near real-time observation of the Indian sub-continent, under cloud-free condition, at frequent intervals, ISRO said.

    The planned launch of GISAT-1, weighing about 2,268 kg, comes close on the heels of the successful February 28 PSLV- C51 mission that orbited Brazil’s earth observation satellite Amazonia-1 and 18 co-passengers, including five built by students.

    Secretary in the Department of Space and ISRO Chairman K Sivan told PTI last week that the technical issues that led to postponement of GISAT-1 mission have been resolved and the further delay in the launch was due to COVID-19-induced lockdown which affected normal work.

    According to sources, GISAT-1 will be followed by the maiden flight of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, ISRO’s compact launcher, likely in April.

    SSLV has been designed to meet “launch on demand” requirements in a cost-effective manner for small satellites in a dedicated and ride-share mode.

    It is a three-stage all solid vehicle with a capability to launch up to 500 kg satellite mass into 500 km low earth orbit (LEO) and 300 kg into Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

    By comparison, PSLV — the workhorse launch vehicle of ISRO — can take up to 1,750 kg payload into SSO of 600 km altitude.

    With lower per kg launch cost, the mini launcher will have multiple satellite mounting options for nano, micro and small satellites.

    Sivan had earlier termed the SSLV an innovative vehicle which can be assembled in just 72 hours.

    “Instead of 60 days (for building a PSLV), it (SSLV) will be assembled in three days; instead of 600 people (needed to build a PSLV), it (SSLV) will be done by six people”, he had said.

    PTI RS VS VS 03071647 NNNN

  • Experts welcome ceasefire pact but caution cross-border terror needs to be watched

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The announcement by India and Pakistan to follow all ceasefire agreements is a welcome move as any measure that saves lives on the border and reduces violence must be given a chance, experts said on Friday, but cautioned that cross-border terrorism needs to be closely watched.

    India and Pakistan issued a joint statement on Thursday to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control(LoC) and other sectors after hotline discussions by their Director Generals of Military Operations(DGMO).

    The decision by the two countries came into effect from the midnight of February 24/25.

    Lt.Gen. (retd) Satish Dua, who was the Corps Commander of the Srinagar based XV Corps when the Indian Army undertook surgical strikes post the Uri attack in 2016, said the ceasefire is a welcome step and more importantly, a joint statement on it is “rare”.

    He said the agreement comes at the time of commencement of summer when there is a rise in infiltration bids and Ceasefire Violations (CFVs).

    “Every year in the onset of summer, the infiltration and the firing (CFVs) pick up more. As we are heading towards that summer, it is also a good thing that before the firing starts off, may be it can be capped in this manner. It will be a good thing,” he said.

    Dua also said the latest ceasefire agreement has to be seen from the context of three aspects.

    One is the situation post-August 2019 when the special provisions for the state under Article 370 were abrogated and there was a rise in CFVs.

    Second, diplomatic relations were hit after the withdrawal of the High Commissioners from both the countries.

    And third is the India’s stance that there would be no talks till Pakistan stops supporting terrorism.

    “There was almost a breakdown of communications in a meaningful way. In that regard, the DGMO (Director Generals) level talk is meant for the management of LoC so that we do not escalate where we can sort out things or sometimes there are issues related to civilians who live across the LoC so they don’t suffer,” Dua said.

    Lt.Gen. (retd) D S Hooda said one should “wait and watch” on how things pan out.

    Hooda was the Army’s Northern Commander when the surgical strikes took place.

    “A lot depends on what they (Pakistan) do at the border. If they continue to push terrorists, then obviously the ceasefire agreement will not last,” Hooda said.

    He, however, noted that the agreement is something which must have been sanctioned at the highest level from both sides.

    He added that the agreement should also be seen from the perspective of regional and global factors.

    At the global level, Pakistan’s attempts to raise the Kashmir issue at different fora have not yielded expected results and their ties with Saudi Arabia and UAE have also soured.

    To add to it, the economy is also not in good shape, Hooda said.

    At the regional level, Pakistan’s attempts to create unrest in Kashmir post-August 2019 have also not been successful.

    Even during the military stand-off with China in eastern Ladakh, the Indian forces stood strong and did not back down.

    “All these aspects probably played a role,” Hooda added.

    TCA Raghavan, former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, said the ceasefire agreements in the past have had mixed outcome.

    “After 2003, till about 2009-2010, the LoC was pretty quiet and even after that while there would be flare-ups, there was always a reference made to the 2003 agreement and greater stability was restored. I won’t say that they have not lasted. Yes, like everything else, in India-Pakistan relations there have been ups and downs. I don’t think to say that this is not going to work because in the past it has not lasted would not be correct,” he said.

    Raghavan said the fact that both sides have agreed that they will respect the ceasefire agreement which was reached in the past is a very important development and it shows that forward movement is possible even after a long period when there has been a very sharp downturn in India-Pakistan relations.

    “Now next steps will depend on both governments because there are many things which can be attended to but the pace at which this has to be done will depend on the governments. It is not easy to predict what will happen,” he said.

    He hoped that some extent of cooperation will now be visible, especially in the field of public health.

    The United States has also welcomed the agreement, saying it is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia.

    Strategic affairs experts Brahma Chellaney said India’s “meandering approach” assumes its two regional foes will emulate what it does well– jettison beliefs and policies overnight.

    “What explains India’s overtures to Pakistan, from permitting Imran Khan’s flight to the joint statement? Indian press is saying “more steps” likely. India’s meandering approach assumes its two regional foes will emulate what it does well, jettison beliefs and policies overnight,” he said on Twitter.

    “While still coddling its terrorist proxies, Pakistan wants better ties with India as part of its efforts to relieve international pressure and reset ties with US. It must be pleased the state department yesterday called it “an important partner” with whom we share many interests,” Chellaney tweeted.

  • Ceasefire agreement positive move, to approach situation with cautious optimism: Army

    General Officer Commanding (GoC), Kilo Force, Major General H S Sahi said when there is a semblance of peace on the LoC, other steps will follow.

  • Guns fall silent on LoC as both sides agree to strictly enforce truce

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Guns fell silent on the Line of Control and the International Border India shares with Pakistan on Wednesday-Thursday midnight in a surprising de-escalation of tensions after both sides agreed to strictly observe all bilateral ceasefire agreements and protocols.

    The truce came about two weeks after China announced disengagement of troops in the Pangong lake in Ladakh from stand-off positions and both sides pulled back their troops.

    In the space of a fortnight, both the volatile China and Pakistan frontiers have become tranquil, indicating hectic back channel diplomacy, giving peace an unexpected booster shot in the often troubled neighbourhood.

    “Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 February 2021,” both countries stated in a joint statement. Indian Army officials attributed the truce to the realisation on both sides of collateral damage as innocent civilian lives were needlessly lost in the cross-border firing.

    “One of the aims is to safeguard the lives of innocent civilians as we are bound to retaliate to ceasefire violations,” said a senior Army officer. This agreement will be a big relief for the people living on the border and their cattle.

    The Union home ministry has built community bunkers in the villages along the LoC to safeguard the lives of civilians caught in the border crossfire. As many as 70 civilians on the Indian side of the LoC were killed in the cross-border firing between 2018 and 2020 while 341 others were injured during the same period. However, there won’t be any let up in the deployment of forces. 

    The decision to strictly enforce truce was taken by the Directors General of Military Operations on both sides, who agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns, which have the propensity to disturb peace.

    “India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. We have always maintained that we are committed to addressing issues, if any, in a peaceful bilateral manner. On key issues, our position remains unchanged,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. India has maintained that there can be no dialogue with Pakistan if cross-border terror does not end.

    No let up in taking on terrorists

    The truce will not stop the Army’s fight against infiltrating terrorists. “The operational posture won’t change and we will follow the policy of zero tolerance to any action from the other side,” an officer said

    (Inputs from Pushkar Banakar)

  • India desires normal neighbourly ties with Pakistan, committed to resolve all issues bilaterally: MEA

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: As the Indian and Pakistani armies agreed to strictly observe all their ceasefire agreements, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan and is committed to resolving all issues bilaterally in a peaceful manner.

    “On key issues, our position remains unchanged. I do not think I need to reiterate it,” MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said when asked about India’s core concerns, including on the issue of cross-border terrorism.

    His comments followed a joint statement issued after a hotline discussion between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, during which the two sides agreed on a strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and all other sectors with effect from Wednesday midnight.

    Asked about the development, the MEA spokesperson said, “As regards the joint statement of the DGMOs and related issues, I would refer you to the Ministry of Defence.”

    “On relations with Pakistan, as we have said earlier, India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. We have always maintained that we are committed to addressing issues, if any, in a peaceful and bilateral manner,” he added.

    India and Pakistan signed a ceasefire agreement in 2003, but it has hardly been followed in letter and spirit over the past several years with more violations than an observance of the pact.

    Army officials asserted that there would be no let-up in their fight against terrorism or in troops deployment along the borders, following the new commitment that they described as a fresh attempt at peace in the region.