NEW DELHI: The heightened tensions on the international border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir has little to do with infiltration attempts and is linked to local issues between BSF and Pakistan Rangers, sources in the home ministry have said.
Sources said killing of personnel from each other’s force looked more responsible for the sudden spurt in firing on the border in Jammu as there have been no reports of infiltration since the tension started.
The sources said failure of Pakistani commanders to turn up for meetings on October 18, when a Pakistani soldier was reportedly killed, and October 23, after a BSF jawan was killed, has prevented the issues being resolved. Efforts are now on at the diplomatic level to arrange a flag meeting, said sources.
“There has been no breach in the fencing on the IB nor are there any signs of militants having crossed from unfenced riverine areas. Thus, even if the firing is an attempt to infiltrate militants, it has not been successful,” said a senior BSF officer.
The tension on the IB increased after retaliatory fire by BSF personnel due to continued sniper firing from across the border resulted in the death of a Pakistan ranger. Since then, there has been continuous firing along the Jammu border from both sides. BSF sources denied that Pakistan army was participating in the attacks and that any army artillery was used. “The shells we are finding are of regular guns used by Pakistan Rangers,” the BSF officer said.
Although till the wee hours on Thursday, Pakistani troops continued firing mortar bombs, rockets and automatic weapons on border posts and civilian areas along the IB in Jammu and Samba districts, the day was relatively peaceful. Sources said they were hopeful of matters cooling down in a few days.
“There was shelling of mortar bombs, rockets and firing by automatic weapons on border outposts (BoPs) in Nikki Tawi areas of Jammu district and Ramgarh belts of Samba district since last night,” a BSF official said.
In the biggest-ever provocation close on the heels of a visit by home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to the border, Pakistani troops on Tuesday resorted to night-long heavy shelling and firing at over 50 border outposts along IB in which one BSF head constable was killed and seven other security personnel injured.
In the latest round, they fired 82 mm mortar shells and also rockets, apart from Light Machine Guns (LGMs) in civilian areas as well. BSF troops guarding the borderline retaliated, resulting in heavy exchanges, which continued till 2:30 hours on Thursday, officials said.
There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the shelling and firing, they said. Due to shelling, panic-stricken villagers have fled their homes to safety.
