While offer of ceasefire by GOI is hopeful and a humanitarian gesture, it is unlikely to be successful given in yet another ceasefire violation, an eight month old child killed by Pakistan in Sherpalai village of Pallanwala in Jammu district on Monday, reported the The News now.
“The ceasefire ordered by the government is a poor copy of the one that was initiated by the Vajpayee government between November 2000 to May 2001. That was a carefully prepared event towards making peace in Kashmir by engaging the separatists and the militants and bypassing the Pakistanis”, according to Manoj Joshi. Earlier in morning two civilians were injured in an alleged ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Arnia area in Jammu district on Monday morning. Darshana Devi and Mohinder Kumar have been hospitalised, reported the Hindustan Times.
A Border Security Force officer said that Pakistan started firing mortars in Arnia around 7 am. Three BSF outposts have been damaged. The Indian side also retaliated. The firing is still under way, while some residents moved to safer places.
“No loss of life and property has been reported,” Additional Deputy Commissioner Arun Manhas told the Hindustan Times, adding that schools within a radius of 5 kilometres have been asked to remain shut.
On Sunday night, Pakistani troops allegedly fired small arms and mortars in Ramgarh sector of Samba district. “The firing started at 10 pm,” an official told Greater Kashmir. “The BSF retaliated effectively. No casualty or damage was caused on our side.”
Residents of Arnia sector along LoC migrate to safer places as Pakistan continues to violate ceasefire; locals arrange food for the affected. Students say their studies are affected as schools are closed since the past few days #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/o03w8WHOjE
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018
At least 38 people, including 18 security personnel, have been killed this year in more than 700 alleged incidents of shelling by Pakistan.
Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh on Monday slammed Pakistan over ceasefire violations during Ramadan. Adding that a country that calls itself Pakistan is indulging in ‘napaak’ activity, he said, “Those who are indulging in firing from across the border has proved…they have the least of faith in Ramadan, Islam and Holy Quran.”
Sleeping civilians being bombed. Schools shut. The fields which grow fragrant basmati have blood on them. Cattlle being killed of poor farmers. People dead and dying. #CeasefireViolation has caused enormous demolition in the border villages. Take a Look. pic.twitter.com/D6f4ycOXQC
— thenewsnowJ&K (@thenewsnowJK) May 21, 2018
Continuous ceasefire violation requires special tactics, equipment, a very high level of training and psychological conditioning and a significant mass of personnel by the Government.
(With inputs from online reports)
