Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 17: As anticipated by the Union Home Ministry and the Border Security Force (BSF), Pakistan once again violated ceasefire along the International Border (IB) and there were reports that the militants tried to infiltrate during the firing in Chilyari area of Samba sector but didn’t succeed due to alertness displayed by the security forces.
The ceasefire violation and simultaneous attempt by the militants to infiltrate into the Indian territory came despite two casual contacts held recently between BSF and Pakistani Rangers and the Sector Commander level meeting between the two sides earlier at Octroi Post in Suchetgarh sector in which Pakistan had given categoric assurance to the BSF for maintenance of peace.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Pakistani Rangers opened firing along the IB in Chilyari area of Samba sector at 2.20 am early today prompting immediate response from the BSF. The exchanges lasted some time.
The BSF fired para bombs and lit up the area to thwart infiltration attempt by the militants during exchange of firing. Sources said the militants were reported to have made the intrusion bid during the firing as some movement was seen in forest area on Pakistan side opposite Chilyari in Samba sector.
However, as the BSF jawans responded immediately, the militants retreated to Pakistan.
In the morning, the BSF jawans conducted searches along the International Border but there were no foot prints of the militants.
The BSF and Rangers also held casual contact on the IB at Chilyari this afternoon between the Post Comm-andants. Eleven officials each from BSF and Rangers attended the meeting in which the BSF lodged strong protest over Pakistan violating ceasefire at regular intervals despite giving assurance at the Sector Commander level meeting that it was committed to maintain peace and tranquility on the borders.
The meeting lasted 15 minutes in which the Rangers again gave assurance of maintaining peace on the borders. As usual, the Rangers remained in denial mode saying they didn’t open the firing.
This was third casual contact between BSF and Rangers during the past fortnight, sources said, adding India has repeatedly been warning Pakistan of consequences if it didn’t stop ceasefire violations and abetting the militants trying to infiltrate into this side.
There were no casualties or damage on the Indian side in the Pakistani firing in wee hours of today. However, it did create panic among the people living in the forward areas along the International Border as they feared that the firing could flare up any time as Pakistan was not relenting on violating the ceasefire.
Sources said there had been specific Intelligence inputs that a number of militants were camping across the International Border waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the Indian territory but their all attempts have been foiled by alert jawans of the BSF.
“The Intelligence reports have pointed out that there were a number of militants waiting on the launching pads on Pakistan side of the International Border trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory. The reports also indicated that the Pakistani Rangers were fully aware of presence of the militants close to their posts and most of the times, the firing from their side was aimed at giving cover to the infiltrators,” sources said.
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