For some months in the past, tension has been rising along the LoC and the International Border (IB) as well, owing to unprovoked firing by the Pakistani troops and Rangers. It shows that Pakistan is not prepared to honour the ceasefire agreement between the two countries concluded in 2003. Evidently the State and the Union Governments have to keep a close eye on the developments along the border and take necessary steps to counter Pakistan’s aggressive designs. Anil Goswami, the new Home Secretary has been on a two-day visit to Jammu along with a team of senior officials of Home Ministry. He has met with the Commanders of BSF and CRPF based in Jammu to be briefed by them on the current situation on our borders especially in vulnerable sites like Krishna Ghati and Mendher areas in Poonch. He also visited Suchet Garh in R S Pora where he was told that Pakistan had been indulging in unprovoked firing.
It is very encouraging that the Home Secretary decided to visit Jammu and make ground assessment of the situation along the LoC and the IB. He has come to the conclusion that infiltration bids by Pakistani jihadis along the LoC have been adequately thwarted by our agile security forces and for this he had a word of appreciation for their alertness and great sense of duty. His visit comes as moral booster to the security forces and his assessment of ground situation will help the Union Government in framing proper response to Pak intransigence. An overall situation in Jammu region is that in border areas of Poonch, Rajouri and Mendhar, there is lot of tension among the people living close to the Line of Control. As a result of incessant firing and shelling by Pakistani troops, civilian life has been disturbed and people are forced to run for shelter as bullets rained by the adversary are reaching peaceful civilians in villages.
Several incidents have happened in recent weeks and months which reflect the belligerent mood of Pakistani army and the Rangers. Bilateral cease fire agreement is violated. Unprovoked firing is resorted to. Civilian population is targeted. Brutalities are perpetrated against our soldiers thus throwing to winds the international laws and conventions. Subversion is fomented through agent provocateurs and jihadi organizations are directed to issue intermittent threats. Hundreds of jihadis have assembled along the LoC who are making repeated bids o sneak into our side. Obviously this is a part of some big design which Pakistan might have up its sleeves. Pakistani intelligence and army both have usually created a situation of tension when they feel that there could be the possibility of a thaw in their relations with India. Conciliatory words of Pakistan new Prime Minister towards India could be a strong catalyst to the accelerated belligerence of Pakistani army. We feel that the Union Home Secretary will have made a note of this situation. His input will be of much significance for the Union Cabinet to consider what steps should be taken to reduce tension on the LoC and de-escalate a situation of flare-up on the border. We think that while our army and security forces continue to give a befitting reply to the firing from the other side, we should keep open the option of talking to Pakistani side.
Our country has always demonstrated more than necessary tolerance towards Pakistan. Some among us even accuse the Government of unnecessary passivity in dealing with this recalcitrant country. Whenever internal dissensions deepen in Pakistan or chances of bilateral talks between the two countries brighten, the ISI and the Army in Pakistan feel very uncomfortable and try to scuttle it. Their choicest instrument to torpedo any chance of Indo-Pak rapprochement is to disturb peace on the LoC. New Delhi is aware of these antics of Pakistani Army.
In recent weeks and months, Pakistan has escalated incidents of firing across the LoC and also International Border in Jammu. Pakistan army and Rangers both have been using heavy arms. This summer while Pakistan was preparing for general elections, its army has been indulging in heavy firing across the LoC with the purpose of helping jihadis infiltrate into our side. But agile security forces have thwarted their attempts and Pakistani army and Rangers have become desperate.
As the Home Secretary is on an assessment visit to Jammu, reports of increased firing by Pakistani side across LoC in various sectors of Poonch have come. Several bullets, shells and rockets fell in civilian areas with some of them landing inside houses of the people. In villages on the border like Salhutri, Sandot, Jhalas, Thera, Mankote, Bhera and surrounding areas of Poonch district people are stricken with panic. In more recent firing bid, Pakistani side has rained bullets, shells and rockets on our 18 forward posts. Pakistan has added a new dimension to border firing. Her troops have opened fire on our posts in Kargil. This has happened after a prolonged silence of 14 years when Kargil war was fought. It is not yet known what Pakistan’s precise aim is in opening fire in Kargil which had remained peaceful for last fourteen years. These are no good indications and Pakistan’s renewed belligerence needs to be analyzed. We fully appreciate our troops in Poonch, Mendher, Rajouri and other sectors giving befitting reply to the stance of the adversary on the other side of the LoC.
Current situation in the State is far from being satisfactory. Pakistan has intensified border clashes and firing. This all is the creation of our adversary on the other side of the border. But this situation must come to an end sooner than later. Firing in Kargil and Dras has not to be taken lightly. By flaring up tension all along the LoC in J&K State, Pakistani army is reflecting its serious intentions of an armed clash. This is essentially because of serious domestic crisis in that country. But it is a warning to us also that we shall have to be prepared to face any eventuality. Home Secretary’s visit assumes much significance in the backdrop of the situation on the ground.
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