For four days beginning with the onset of the New Year on January 1, Pakistani Rangers targeted as many as 13 border posts of the BSF in Hiranagar and Samba sector. This is the umpteenth time that Pakistani Rangers have opened unprovoked firing and mortar shelling on our posts along the International Border or the LoC. In the shelling one BSF jawan was killed. However, in the retaliatory action, it is reported that four Rangers were done to death. According to intelligence reports about 6 -7 fidayeen suicide bombers fully armed were trying to sneak into our side of the border at Samba but when detected by the Border Security Force personnel, and fired at by them, the infiltrators turned back and ran away.
Pakistani Rangers continued firing and mortar shelling in next three days and now targeted not only the border posts but also villages close to the border forcing the civilian population to leave their homes and hearths for a secure place. For three days and nights almost war like situation developed on the border with Indian side retaliating befittingly. The Pakistanis wanted to create a situation like Arnia during August-September last. So far large number of civilians from the border villages have shifted to safer places and according to the statements of civilian authorities they have been provided shelter in the school buildings or temples away from the border.
Ceasefire violations by Pakistani Rangers have become a regular feature of the volatile border. The sanctity of the ceasefire agreement of 2003 is thrown to winds once for all. Why does Pakistan resort to unprovoked firing and flaring up of border tension is a question that we have answered a number of times. In the first place, we have seen that unprovoked firing takes place usually when Pakistan is in deep domestic crisis and feels it necessary to divert the attention of her people to the fighting or firing on the border with India. At present, the domestic situation of Pakistan is at the edge owing to the massacre of 132 school children and ten others in Peshawar Army School. Pakistani military has intensified operations against Pakistani Taliban in Waziristan and PoK. Prime Minister has lifted moratorium on capital punishment and as many as seven culprits have been hanged so far evoking criticism from parliamentarians and the world body. In retaliation, TTP have openly announced that they would seek revenge from the families and relatives of Pakistan army officers for atrocities unleashed against their children during attacks on their hideouts in Waziristan. Pakistani civil society is in deep crisis on this count and the Generals want to have their own law to deal with the insurgents who want to destabilize Pakistan army.
The second and more important reason for Pakistani Rangers to resort to unprovoked firing is that the army and ISI are desperate to send armed and well trained fidayeen of Lashkar-e-Toiba into our side of the border to create insecurity and turmoil by resorting to terrorist activities in our side of the international border or the LoC. Rangers give cover fire to the infiltrators and hence unprovoked firing takes place generally at places wherefrom infiltration becomes easier for the fidayeen. Chor Gali in Samba sector is one such site wherefrom they find it easier to sneak in. This has been the long time practice of Pakistani Rangers all along the LoC.
But Pakistan’s new tactics of shelling civilian targets has a method in madness. The Rangers want that the entire border should be vacated of civilian population so that the infiltrators meet with no opposition or detection by the locals. It will be remembered that last year our security forces detected a tunnel built by Pakistani Rangers in R.S. Pora sector. Of course, the Rangers partially succeed in scaring away the civilian population living close to the international border. However, the people living on the border are brave and courageous and they have been weathering so many threats in the past. At the best they move away from their habitats temporarily but return to conduct their daily chores from their original habitats. Pakistan is gravely mistaken if she thinks she can clear the border of villagers on our side. Much water will flow down the river before that objective is achieved by dreamers in Pakistan.
It is also possible that Pakistan feels that the formation of the Government in J&K has come to a standstill owing to the fractured verdict of the electorate. As such they want to exacerbate a situation of uncertainty in the State by unleashing terror. This, too, is day dreaming on their part. Democratic dispensation in our side of the state is so deep rooted that it cannot be upset by gimmicks like border firing and infiltration. Our security forces are fully prepared to meet the challenge. The DG of BSF has rightly put it that we do not fire the first shot but when we are fired at, we retaliate befittingly. Pakistanis now understand what India means by that statement. There is no need to get panicky but there is every need to remain alert and respond adequately to Pakistan’s antics.
The last and most important reason why Pakistani Rangers have unleashed violence with much intensity at this point of time is that Pakistan is greatly worried about the impending visit of President Obama to India to be the chief guest on the occasion of our Republic Day on 26th of January. The decision of the US President to attend the function has not gone well with Pakistani authorities. As such they would like to do something that could leave negative impact on the visit or if possible result in the US President cancelling the visit. Intelligence reports say that around 70 well trained and well armed fidayeen of LeT are waiting in different camps along the international border on Pakistani side opposite to Hiranagar-Samba sector to sneak into Indian side and then begin Arnia like attacks to disrupt peace and security in entire J&K State. Reports say that these fidayeen have received special training and are equipped with paraphernalia that would help them even to cross the nullahs and rivulets if these come in their way. Intense mortar shelling during first three days of January was aimed at helping these fidayeen sneak into our side and accomplish the mission allotted to them. But salutes to our brave Border Security Force jawans who maintained strict vigil all along the border and did not give the enemy a chance to achieve the objective.
While we have all appreciation for our Border Security Forces in denying the enemy any chance of success, we have also a word of appreciation for the civilian population living along the border and braving threats to their lives, cattle and property. They need to be armed and trained to defend themselves and become a support to the BSF in times of need. Pakistan must understand that each civilian on the border will fight along with the jawans of the BSF to protect the motherland in any circumstances. And even any of their infiltrators manage to sneak in; we are here to deal with them as we have done in the past.
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