Border Firing Ahead of PM Modi’s Visit, Pakistan Troops Target BSF Posts in Jammu and Kashmir

Mangalore Today News Network

Srinagar, Oct 23, 2014: In yet another ceasefire violation at the border, Pakistan soldiers fired at the Border Security Force (BSF) post with small arms in Ramgarh sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the BSF, there has been no damage in the ceasefire that took place on Diwali day.

This comes on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Kashmir valley. Mr Modi is currently on his way to the Siachen glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, to spend some time with the soldiers. He will also go to Srinagar, which is still recovering from the floods last month, the worst the state has seen in 100 years.

There have been a series of ceasefire incidents at the border, and the Indian forces have decided to skip the traditional exchange of Diwali sweets with Pakistani guards at the Attari border.

The exchange of sweets at the border during festivals is an age-old tradition but the continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan have soured the relationship. On Eid, the guards on both sides of the border kept their distance. The gates had been kept closed.

On Wednesday, Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire on the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. Firing started in the Ramgarh area of Samba district around 9.40 am. It stopped soon, but then fresh firing began at Arnia, in Jammu’s RS Pura sector.

India has taken a strong stand against the ceasefire violations by Pakistan and the forces have been retaliating regularly. Altogether, around 20 people have died on both sides of the border.

On Tuesday, India warned Pakistan of more "pain" if it continues the ceasefire violations. Defence Minister Arun Jaitley told NDTV that India has asked its armed forces to retaliate it is up to Islamabad to create the conditions for a resumption of talks.

 

Courtesy: NDTV