News Analysis India

Tag: Line of Control

  • India, Pakistan agree for ‘strict observance’ of all LoC agreements

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In a major development, India and Pakistan on Thursday jointly agreed to ‘strictly observance’ of all the agreements between the two countries.

    “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 jointly released statement. 

    In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence.

    BIG BREAKINGPakistan and India have jointly 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 Feb 2021. +@NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard
    — Mayank (@scribesoldier) February 25, 2021

    The DGMOs of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact. The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere.

    Mentioning the mechanism to be adopted in case of any unforeseen situation, “Both sides reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.”

  • Improvement in J-K security situation but Pakistan-sponsored terror remains threat: Army chief

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Army chief Gen M M Naravane Wednesday said that there is “definitely a great improvement” in the internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir but Pakistan-promoted terror still remains a threat.

    He said Pakistan is committed to the strategy of supporting terrorism in all its forms as terrorist launchpads continue to be operated and terrorists continue to be there on the other side of the Line of Control looking for an opportunity to cross over.

    Naravane exuded confidence that with continued engagement with Pakistan, there could be some sort of an understanding because “unsettled borders and violence on the borders help no one”.

    “We are always wanting peace and tranquillity in our border areas, whether it be the western front or the northern front and the LAC (Line of Actual Control). Or whether it is on the Indo-Myanmar border, we are always looking for peace and tranquillity and our role is to ensure that so as to the rest of the nation can develop,” Naravane said.

    The Army chief was speaking at a webinar organised by Vivekananda International Foundation.

    ALSO READ | Disengagement win-win situation for India and China: Army chief Gen MM Naravane

    Talking about terrorism in the Valley, Naravane said the winter months are always a little bit of a lull period when the passes are closed and snowfall is heavy.

    He said with the waning of winter, as the passes open and the onset of summer, the Army is always prepared for a fresh influx from across the border.

    “But having said all that, there is definitely a great improvement in the internal security situation in the union territory of J&K. When I say that, I don’t say that just based on the emotion but on various parameters you can judge the figures,” Naravane said.

    He said the number of terrorist-initiated incidents has gone down so have the incidents of infiltration bids across the LoC.

    He added that there were no instance of stone pelting, no incidents of IED attacks.

    “These are facts and figures which speak for themselves that there has been an improvement on the ground in the J&K. However, that threat still remains a threat in being.”

    “The Pakistan angle and the terror angle still remain a threat in being,” he said.

  • Civilian injured in Pakistan shelling along LoC in J-K’s Poonch district

    By PTI
    JAMMU: A 20-year-old man was injured as Pakistani troops opened fire and lobbed mortars at forward posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday, officials said.

    The injured was identified as Mohammed Ikhlak, a resident of Shahpur village, they said.

    The Pakistani army opened fire with small arms and lobbed mortars along the LoC in Shahpur sector, the officials said.

    Ikhlak was injured in the firing and rushed to the hospital for treatment, they said.

    In 2020, Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 5,400 instances of ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the highest in the past 19 years, along the LoC.

    A total of 36 people were killed and over 130 injured in these ceasefire violations, according to the officials.

    They said the shelling and firing by Pakistani troops last year was “very heavy”, virtually making the 2003 India-Pakistan border truce redundant.

    “Pakistani troops repeatedly targeted forwards posts and villages along the Line of Control and the International Border to create a fear psychosis among the people and destabilise the peace along the borderline,” a senior police officer said.

  • Strong India following Netaji’s footsteps, from LoC to LAC: PM Modi

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sought to draw a parallel between Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s vision and his government’s action at an event to mark the legendary freedom fighter’s 125th birth anniversary in Kolkata. 

    Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee at theVictoria Memorial on Saturday | PTIModi said Netaji would have been proud to see that the country has become strong and is following in his footsteps from the Line of Control (LoC) to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with Pakistan and China respectively.

    “Netaji had dreamt of a strong India, from LAC to LoC. We are following in his footsteps. Whenever our sovereignty was challenged, we have given a befitting reply,” he said at a programme held in the Victoria Memorial Hall to commemorate the freedom fighter. “Netaji wanted to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Today, India is heading towards the same goal,’’ said Modi.

    The PM’s visit assumed significance ahead of the Assembly polls in West Bengal. Apart from recalling Netaji’s contribution, Modi’s speech projected the Bengal icon as the leading light of India’s Independence whose dreams the present government is trying to realize. “India is now manufacturing Tejas fighter aircraft. This is our vision to be self-reliant,’’ the PM said.

    Modi also likened her party’s Sonar Bangla slogan with Netaji’s dream. “Netaji wanted to build ‘Sonar Bangla’. We will build his workplace the way he wanted,’’ said Modi. The ‘Sonar Bangla’ slogan has become a political tool of the BJP to attack Mamata-led West Bengal government over her party’s “poor” governance.

    BJP heavyweights, including Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda never miss a chance to promise that the party, if voted to power, would turn West Bengal into Sonar Bangla within five years.The PM also highlighted his government’s success in combating Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier, Modi went to Netaji’s residence and visited his museum. BJP leaders accompanied him, but were not allowed by the Netaji Research Bureau. 

    ‘Insulted’ Mamata  refuses to speak

    An irked Mamata expressed her discontent and declined to deliver speech at the event after slogans of Jai Shri Ram were raised in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The awkward moment took place when the moderator of the event announced Mamata’s name as next speaker.

    As Mamata stood up and started walking towards the podium, some of the audience chanted Jai Shri Ram slogan and said they would not want to listen her.

    “I think government’s programme should have dignity. This is not a political programme. I am grateful to the PM and the Ministry of Culture that such an event has been organised. It (the slogan) doesn’t suit you to insult an invitee. In protest, I will not speak anything,’’ Mamata said. 

  • Four soldiers injured in Pakistani firing along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor sector

    By PTI
    KAMMU: Four soldiers of the Army sustained injuries as Pakistani troops opened fire targeting forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor sector, official sources said on Wednesday.

    The ceasefire violation from across the LoC in the Keri Battal area took place on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, they said.

    Four soldiers suffered splinter injuries and were shifted to the military hospital in Udhampur for treatment, the sources added.

  • Pakistan violates ceasefire in different sectors along LoC, IB in Jammu and Kashmir

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

    However, there was no immediate report of any damage on the Indian side, they said.

    “At about 3 pm, Pakistan (Army) initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling mortars along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. Indian Army retaliates befittingly,” a defence spokesman said.

    The officials said the shelling between the two sides was continuing when last reports were received.

    The officials said Pakistan Army also resorted to mortar shelling in Balakote, Digwar and Kirni sectors along the LoC in Poonch district.

    The shelling in Balakote sector started around 3.35 pm followed by Digwar and Kirni sectors at 4 pm, the officials said, adding Indian troops also fired back and the cross-border shelling was going in all the three sectors when last reports were received.

    Pakistani Rangers also resorted to unprovoked firing in Gurnam Border Outpost area along the IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.

    The firing from across the border started around 11.10 pm Saturday, prompting strong retaliation by the BSF, the officials said, adding the firing between the two sides continued till 1.20 am on Sunday.

  • Residents of border areas strategic

    Union home minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that people residing in the border areas are the biggest strategic asset for the country.
    The government will build 1,400 new bunkers for individual households in order to provide security to those who face shelling by Pakistani forces. “All those who live on the border areas are not only common citizens, but the biggest strategic asset for the country. To provide them security, we have instructed to construct 1,400 new bunkers and the state government has also assured to get them ready in a few months”, said Rajnath Singh, while addressing reporters on the completion of four years of the NDA government at the Centre.

    Replying to a query on residents being forced to flee their homes along the Line of Control (LoC) due to frequent shelling by Pakistan, Singh said that India wants peace with its neighbours, including Pakistan, and prefers to maintain ceasefire on the border.

    But Pakistan’s unprovoked ceasefire violations have compelled India to give a befitting reply along the border in Jammu and Kashmir region. India also wants Pakistan to control terrorism which doesn’t seem to be working. “Recently, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) from both India and Pakistan held talks over ceasefire violations and decided to stick to the commitment. If India would not have retaliated, how could Pakistan agree for an agreement”, said Singh.

    Pakistan must stop sponsoring terrorism and cooperate with India in dealing with terrorists, Sing said, as he claimed that there has been considerable improvement in the national security situation of India during the four-year rule of the Modi government.