Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 29: The Border Security Force (BSF) and Rangers today agreed to follow established mechanism to maintain peace and tranquility on the International Border even as the BSF lodged strong protest with Pakistan in the Sector Commanders level flag meeting over unprovoked and indiscriminate shelling and firing by Pakistani posts specifically targeting the BSF and civilian population causing vast damaged to the property.
The Sector Commanders level flag meeting, which lasted about three and half hours, was held at Octroi Post in Suchetgarh sector of RS Pura tehsil. The meeting followed two Commandant level flag meetings held on August 27 and 28 at Pargwal and Ramgarh sectors between BSF officers and Rangers.
The BSF delegation was led by BS Kasana, DIG Station Headquarters, Jammu along with R K Gurung, DIG Station Headquarters, Indreshwar Nagar, RS Pura while Brigadier Mateen Ahmad headed the delegation of Pakistan Rangers.
Soon after the report of Sector Commander level flag meeting between BSF and Rangers came, almost all border migrants returned to their houses from Government accommodation in Arnia, Bishnah and RS Pura.
Official sources told the Excelsior that BSF and Rangers after over three and a half hours long flag meeting (4.30 pm to 8 pm today) agreed to follow established mechanism to maintain peace and tranquility on the International Border. They said the flag meeting ended in cordial atmosphere.
However, the BSF warned strong retaliation in the event of fresh ceasefire violation by the Rangers.
Sources said the BSF directly charged the Rangers that their 50 posts from PP Hussain to PP Jamshaid of 12 Chenab Rangers deployed at Sharwah, Harpal and Chaprar sector of Pakistani specifically targeted BSF troops, Border Out Posts (BOPs) and Indian civil population living along the borders and their properties, which not only caused fatal casualties of civilians and destruction to their property but also disturbed completely the peace and tranquility of the International Border.
The BSF blamed the Pakistani Rangers with resorting to unprovoked firing by Heavy Machine Guns and mortar shelling from 16th to 20th July and 10th August to 24th August targeting the BSF posts, BOPs and border population.
Giving enough evidence, the BSF delegation mentioned the Pakistani posts and units, which targeted the BSF troops, their BOPs and civil population.
The BSF delegation further charged the Rangers with indulging in unprovoked heavy firing with automatic machine guns from Pakistani posts of Shahjamal, Javed, Kalial and Tariq on India BOPs located in Pargwal area of Akhnoor sector on the intervening night of August 26 and 27.
In a very brief inter-action with media, Kasana said the talks were held in cordial atmosphere and the BSF lodged strong protest with Pakistan over firing and shelling.
The BSF told the Rangers that they had fired sniper shot on constable Sanjay Dhar on 16th July followed by firing on the BSF troops and civilians in broad day light thereby causing fatal casualty to Dhar and bullet injuries to seven other persons including three BSF jawans and four innocent civilians.
Sources said the BSF sought immediate release of innocent Indian civilian Sohan Lal son of Garu Ram R/o Sai Kalan, RS Pura, who had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan on the intervening night of 11th and 12th May as he was mentally upset. The BSF regretted that he hasn’t been returned so far. They called for immediate repatriation of the civilian.
Sources said the BSF categorically told the Rangers that the BSF never initiated any kind of firing but retaliating only under compelling circumstances to safeguard precious lives of Indian population and their property. “There was no first ceasefire violation by the BSF and we never targeted the civilian locations,’’ they added.
Sources pointed out that Pakistan side also had their own version and they tried to shift blame on the BSF for firing. However, the strong evidence given by the BSF nullified claims of the Rangers.
This was third and highest level flag meeting, which was attended by the Sector Commanders (DIGs from BSF side and Brigadier from the Rangers). On Wednesday and Thursday, Commandant level flag meetings between the two sides were held at Pargwal and Ramgarh sectors respectively, which were prelude to the Sector Commander level meeting held today.
For the past six days, no firing or shelling has been reported on the International Border in Arnia, RS Pura and Ramgarh sectors, which were worst hit in more than 45 days long hostilities between India and Pakistan, the longest ever standoff after 1971 war. Only Thursday night, Pakistan had opened firing on three BSF posts and civilian areas in Pargwal sector but since then there has been no ceasefire violation in any part of the International Border.
Meanwhile, majority of migrants from forward villages of RS Pura and Arnia forward villages, who had migrated to safer areas in Government accommodation, today returned to their houses as soon as the report of Sector Commander level flag meeting between India and Pakistan came.
Reports said all 6000 migrants putting up at Salehar in Arnia and Rehal in Bishnah returned to their houses this evening while majority of migrants from Government accommodation in RS Pura, Rangpur and Basspur Bungalow have also returned.
The people had migrated in view of intense shelling and firing by the Rangers causing large scale destruction to their property apart from casualties (both fatal and non-fatal) of civilians and cattle.
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