Crossing the line: ceasefire violations by Pakistan

March 01, 2019 12:28 pm | Updated 02:52 pm IST

A man shows the damaged wall of his house after shelling from the Pakistan side of the border in the Pargwal sector of Akhnoor, on June 4, 2018

A man shows the damaged wall of his house after shelling from the Pakistan side of the border in the Pargwal sector of Akhnoor, on June 4, 2018

The number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the Line of Control in 2018 was six times higher than what it was in 2015. In 2018, there were nearly 3,000 violations. The number of security personnel and civilians killed as a result also escalated.

Rapid escalation

The dramatic spike in LoC violations began in 2017. That year, the number of violations was nearly four times the number in 2016. The number of violations across the International Border, which came down in 2017, picked up again in 2018.

Note: If you cannot see the visualisations below, please click here

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People living near the border in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts are most vulnerable to damage caused by ceasefire violations, data show.

More security personnel and civilians have been killed in recent cross-border conflicts, data show. Security personnel include Border Security Force and Army personnel.

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Immediate retaliation by Indian Army and BSF Personnel is carried out during instances of unprovoked firings and ceasefire violations by Pakistan at LoC and IB, according to a reply given to a question during Lok Sabha Question Hour.

According to the written reply, the following measures have been taken by the Centre to check ceasefire violations by Pakistan: Proper defence preparedness (including strengthening of check posts, field fortifications, high mast lights and so on). BSF regularly interacts with people living at the border and educates them about movement in vulnerable areas. It also keeps them informed about cross-border firings.

All violations of ceasefire are taken up with Pakistan authorities at the appropriate levels, through established mechanisms, including hotlines, flag meetings etc.

In addition to ceasefire violations at the border by Pakistan, terrorists also infiltrate the country through LoC and IB. The pattern of estimated infiltration into India over three years shows that a large number of terrorists enter the country through the LoC and IB in June (end of summer) and September (before winter).

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