Pakistani troops open fire to shatter truce on J&K border

Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday as Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing on a BSF patrol, merely a day after accepting the body of a slain terrorist killed by the Indian army.

“Today morning the alert BSF Jammu troops gave a befitting reply to the unprovoked firing by Pakistan rangers on BSF patrolling party in Arnia Sector. No casualties to BSF troops have been reported,” the PRO said.

Very few incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan have been reported since February 2021 when the two neighbouring countries reaffirmed strict observance of all “agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors”.

The ceasefire reaffirmation brought relief to border residents and farmers along the Line of Control and the International Border. But an element of uncertainty has crept in again with today’s firing.

The Indian Army had said in February this year that the ceasefire had been holding since February 25, 2021 and not a single exchange of fire took place between the two armies over the period of last one year.

For the first time in over two decades, Pakistan on Monday accepted the body of a trained agent and guide of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group who had infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir to attack an Indian army post.

The body of 32-year-old Tabarak Hussain was handed over two days after he died at a military hospital in Rajouri district where he was being treated for his injuries sustained in an encounter with Indian troops. He was operated at the hospital where army soldiers even donated blood to him to keep him alive.