India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned and lodged a strong complaint with a Pakistan High Commission official over the repeated violation of the 2003 ceasefire agreement.
According to the MAE, despite repeated calls for restraining, Pakistan forces have carried out over 1962 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations in which 50 Indians have lost their lives this year.
Until July 2018, Pakistan had reportedly violated the ceasefire along the International Border and the Line of Control more than 1432 times, which stands highest in the last eight years. India shares a 198 km long International Border with Pakistan in the Jammu region and a 724 km long Line of Control with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
In 2016, Pakistan had violated the ceasefire 449 times and in 2017, the number stood at 771 times. It is notable here that the International Border is guarded by the BSF while the LoC is guarded by operational divisions of the Indian Army.
Referring to the last two incidents of unprovoked violation of ceasefire on December 21 and 26, 2018, the MEA lodged a strong protest, also asking Pakistan to fulfil its bilateral commitment of not allowing its territory to be used as a launchpad for terrorists to attack India in any way.
Apart from this, New Delhi raised an alarm over the rise in the number of terrorist infiltration attempts across the Line of (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and said that Islamabad was backing terrorists who are targeting Indian civilians and security forces.
As reported, Pakistan had earlier submitted a comprehensive action plan to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to stifle the funding of militants groups, fearing to be black-listed. But predisposed by its impulse, Pakistan has double-crossed India ever since, umpteen number of times. In fact, the 2018 figures of ceasefire violations reveal a horrific 230 per cent rise compared to 2016 – it is also the highest count in over a decade.
In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 security personnel were killed and 83 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured. In 2015, the number of ceasefire violations was 405, 583 violations were recorded in 2014 while 347 in 2013, 114 in 2012, 62 in 2011 and 70 in 2010 were recorded.
Owing to Pakistan’s unscrupulousness, every passing year has been witnessing an escalation in the unrest. Pakistan often uses unprovoked firing as a cover for terrorists attempting to infiltrate into India.
Incessant ceasefire violations by Pakistan have completely derailed the lives of the locals dwelling in the border area, leaving India with no option but to retaliate. Innocent civilians are often the victims in the firings. In May, an 8-month old baby was killed in firing from the Pakistani side.