Highest number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along LoC in the last 17 years

Over the past eight months (starting January), the ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the LoC have been the highest in the last 17 years since between the two countries in 2003, Rajya Sabha was informed earlier this week.

The number of such violations has gone up to 3,186. In addition, there were also 242 incidents of cross-border firing (from January 1 to August 31), in the Jammu region, along the international border with Pakistan, Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Defence, said in the Rajya Sabha.

Across 2019, there were only around 2,000 ceasefire violations.

“Appropriate retaliation” was carried out by the Indian Army, the minister said, adding that all violations had been taken up with Pakistani authorities through established channels and protocols.

Eight Army personnel were martyred during the ceasefire violations this year and two others were injured. A large number of innocent civilians – men, women and children – were also killed, and a number of houses and buildings have been destroyed.

On Friday evening, a woman living near the LoC was injured after Pakistan resorted to heavy firing. Earlier, there was a heavy exchange of firing, including the use of mortar, from the Gurez sector in north Kashmir.

Related news: India conveys protest to Pak over unprovoked ceasefire violations along LoC, IB

On Sept 15, an Indian Army jawan was martyred and two others, including an officer, were injured when Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in J&K’s Rajouri district.

Pakistan has claimed that 18 people have been killed and 180 others injured in 2,245 incidents of ceasefire violations this year.

The number of ceasefire violations this year had slowed down marginally in the face of a global Covid pandemic, which has affected over three lakh people in Pakistan and more than 53 lakh in India.

Hostilities between the two countries have also increased following scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The LoC violations also come at a time when there is tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.