With three fresh incidents of ceasefire violations in Poonch sector, Pakistani Army on Monday surpassed the highest number of 93 ceasefire violations reported so far in one calendar year since November 26, 2003.
The highest number of 93 ceasefire violations was reported in 2012 from across the line of Control (loC). According to official sources, 57 violations took place between January 1 and August 5, 2013 and in the last 20 days close to 40 violations have been reported in Poonch and Rajouri sectors of Jammu & Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has violated ceasefire nine times in Kargil and Drass in this month by firing on Indian Army positions as compared to just six violations from year 2004 till the beginning of this month, officials said here on Monday. Moreover, Pakistan violated ceasefire on the loC 28 times since August 6 when five Indian soldiers were killed by Pakistan commandos in Poonch, they added.
Meanwhile, overnight exchange of heavy calibre firing in Garhi sector of Poonch on Monday triggered panic in the area forcing the local population to take tough stand against the indifferent attitude of the State Government as they claimed none of them have so far visited the forward areas to assess the ground reality and make alternate arrangements to ensure their safety.
The movement of the local authorities have been banned by the Army in the forward locations with majority population stranded between the two sides of the line of Control. For over three weeks now, these border residents in Mendhar tehsil have been living under the constant shadow of death and destruction with no healing touch from the State Government. The villagers in the area are facing shortage of essential items due to complete isolation.
In the last 24 hours, one horse died in Panjani village of Balakote while one buffalo, one cow and one ox received splinter injuries. A house in Gohlad village was hit by a mortar shell but none of the inhabitants received injuries as they had already moved out of the area.
A total number of three ceasefire violations were reported from different sector of Poonch on Monday. According to official sources over one dozen forward Indian posts were targeted in the area by the Pak troops.
According to Defence PRO Col RK Palta, “Pak Army fired mortars and used automatic weapons in Garhi sector between 12.15 and 5.00 am. The Indian side retaliated strongly to the provocation using same calibre weapons, he added.
later during the day, two more incidents of ceasefire violation were reported in Mendhar and Poonch sectors. The firing in Mendhar sector started around 2.00 pm and 5.30 pm onwards in Poonch, Defence PRO claimed.
Official sources in BSF also claimed that they exchanged heavy firing in Balakote sector between 3.15 and 5.15 and 4.00 pm to 5.45 pm in two different places of Balakote sector.