With belligerent Pakistan not mending its ways and deliberately escalating tensions even along the International Border by constantly pounding civilian pockets and Indian border posts across the Jammu frontier, the Border Security Force jawans have been alerted, ahead of the daylong visit of Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to J&K, to foil any infiltration bid in the garb of intense exchange of firing going on at the IB for last couple of days at regular intervals.
India is also expected to send across a tough message to its neighbouring country at the end of the Unified Command meeting which the Union Home Minister is scheduled to chair here in Jammu along with J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday. Since August 5, 2013 around 200 ceasefire violations have taken place in the region raising question marks over the real intentions of the Pak Army and its hidden agenda.
Shinde would also visit the Hiranagar police station which came under attack by the three member fidayeen group on September 26 before they stormed Army installation in Samba. Shinde would also visit a forward border post in Samba sector to gather first hand account of ground situation.
Earlier in the day, J&K CM Omar Abdullah too had set the tone while adopting a tough posture against Pakistan and urging the Centre to explore other options if Pakistan continues to violate ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, situation along the International border continued to remain tense with Pak rangers bent upon provoking strong Indian reaction.
In the last 24 hours the Pak rangers pounded several forward villages during the night and also targeted over one dozen Indian posts in Ramgarh sub sector of Samba, Arnia, RS Pura, Pargwal and Hiranagar sector. According to BSF, the Pak rangers were using almost all types of weaponary to target the posts and forward villages. Several ex-serviceman living in the border areas told visiting media persons in Ramgarh sector, initially Pak rangers resorted to use of rifle fire and later they graduated to use of lMG and then fired rockets and pounded civilian areas with mortars. Ex-servicemen also claimed the intense exchange of fire continued till wee hours.
Two jawans,one each belonging to BSF and SPO of State police received mortar shell injuries.Two livestock were also killed in Bamuchak village of Ramgarh sector in the overnight exchange of firing.On the other hand some families had a narrow escape as mortar shells landed in the verandah of their houses but didn’t explode.
According to Dalip Singh of Jerda village in Ramgarh sector, a mortar shell landed in our verandah around 10.00 pm but it didn’t explode. He said if it had exploded it would have caused lot of damage as the entire family was present in the house in the forward village.The SPO identified as Girdhari lal, recuperating in the GMC hospital said, i was moving in the village when a splinter hit me and i fell on the ground in Kanachak area.He said at least four mortars landed simultaneously in the area spreading wave of panic.
According to spokesman of the State Government at least 15 villages in Ramgarh sector alone have been reeling under tension due to ceasefire violation by Pakistan.
In the last two days hundreds of border residents living close to the International border and whose houses fall in the direct line of fire had shifted their families to safer places and in community centres opened by the district authorities to accommodate affected families.
The State Government had earlier announced closure of all educational institutions in the affected areas to prevent any loss of life and property in the exchange of fire during day time.
A four member team of senior cabinet ministers including Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand toured the worst affected border areas on Monday as per the directions of Chief Minister and directed the Divisional commissioner to prepare a comprehensive contingency plan in the event of any flare of tensions.The team of ministers gave patient hearing to the border residents and tried to pacify them to stay put in their villages. Several politicians also made beeline to the community hall where border villagers were camping and assured all assistance. Though villagers complained of lack of facilities the state govt claimed it has even arranged medical health facilities besides other amenities for them to ensure their safety and hygiene.