Pakistan’s latest ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LOC) has severely backfired after the Border Security Forces retaliated with three days of incessant bombardment of Pakistani bunkers. After 2 BSF jawans were martyred in unprovoked firing along the LOC in Arnia, Ramgarh and Chamliyal , the BSF responded with heavy firing along the border, destroying a Pakistani picket and killing one Pakistan Ranger. In the aftermath of the heavy artillery and precision fire, the BSF said in a statement that the Pakistan Rangers had called up the BSF formation and requested them for a ceasefire in all hostilities.
A senior BSF official told PTI. “Three border outposts are under fire from the Pakistani Rangers and the personnel deployed there are also retaliating to silence the Pakistani guns,” the official said.
The incident marks the first violation since May 19th, in a year which has seen a sharp surge in cross border incidents and unprovoked firing from Pakistan. There have been over 700 incidents of cross border firing between the two sides which have claimed the lives of atleast 18 security personnel and 20 civilians living in and around the border region.
The BSF released a thermal video footage of the artillery bombardment on the Pakistani picket across the border:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6TuVk7eGNo
The BSF has clearly stated that the retaliatory action will only stop when Pakistan stops targeting and disrupting civilian life around the LoC. This is a direct result of the free hand given by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to the BSF in countering Pakistani aggression. In January earlier this year, Pakistan had violated the ceasefire and killed several civilians near the border, to which the BSF responded with heavy mortar shelling. As many as 9000 mortar shells were fired on the Pakistan outposts, causing severe damage.
Firing by Pakistani Rangers could be aimed at facilitating infiltration to the Indian side as BSF troops also noticed some suspicious movement across the border. There is no report of any loss of life or damage to the property to the Indian side apart from the one BSF jawan martyred in the border firing.
BSF has been using long range mortar shells – also called 8mm area weapons- which can hit targets within the range of 5-6 km; short range mortar shells (51mm mortar shells) which can hit targets at 900 meters; and small arms like MMG, LMG, rifles for retaliating to Pakistani shelling and firing.
Meanwhile, as a security measure, schools up to five kilometer range in the valley will be closed for the day.
BSF had lost two of its jawans in unprovoked attacks from the Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The attacks from Pakistani Rangers had suddenly increased before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s day long visit to Jammu and Kashmir which took place on Saturday. The unprovoked attacks had resulted in the loss of four civilian lives in Jammu as well. Indian Army was infuriated and decided to retaliate with heavy weapons resulting in the destruction of Pakistani posts. The firing from Indian Army has been ongoing for the last three days. Pakistan’s pleading to stop the bombardment is a result of the heavy use of force by BSF backed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. It was necessary to retaliate with full might because of the numerous cowardly attacks by Pakistan which have increased in frequency this year. There have been more than 700 instances of shelling and firing from Pakistan occupied Kashmir side of the LoC this year alone. It has resulted in the death of 38 people, including 18 security personnel, while many others were injured.
BSF’s retaliation to Pakistan Army’s acts will make them realize the superiority of the Indian security forces. It could drive some sense into the thick skulls of the Pakistani leaders as well, since words have failed to do so in the past. BSF and other security personnel are lauding the encouragement received by PM Modi led BJP government at the centre. PM Modi and the security forces have realized that words fail to make any difference to the gun-totting terrorists backed by the war-mongering Pakistani establishment. Onslaught on their nefarious activities is the need of the hour.