India's defence minister warns Pakistan over LoC skirmish

Published October 9, 2014
— File photo of Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley by AFP
— File photo of Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley by AFP

NEW DELHI: India's defence minister on Thursday warned Pakistan to stop shelling in Kashmir, after some of the worst cross-border violence to hit the disputed region in years.

“If Pakistan persists with this adventurism, our forces will make cost of this adventurism unaffordable for it,” Arun Jaitley told journalists in New Delhi.

“Pakistan should stop this unprovoked firing and shelling if it wants peace on the border. “The nuclear-armed neighbours have traded blame for the cross-border violence that has killed at least 12 civilians this week.

Thousands of people on both sides of the border have fled their homes and nine people died on Monday alone, the highest civilian toll in a single day in more than a decade.

Read more: Two more killed in cross border firing

At least two people were killed in Sialkot on Thursday in latest firing by Indian troops along the working boundary between India and Pakistan raising the number of deaths in the past few days to 12 and injured to 43, sources in the Chenab Rangers said, adding that they retaliated the attack.

Several buildings were also damaged during the incident and the exchange of fire was ongoing at the time of the filing of this report.

The deceased include a man and a woman who were killed when hit in the Harpal village of Charwah Sector. Moreover, one person was injured in the incident.


'Pakistan showing utmost restraint'


Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz said in an earlier statement: “Pakistan government has been exercising utmost restraint and responsibility… Unfortunately, all our efforts to secure peace and tranquillity on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary have elicited no cooperation from the Indian side.”

Meanwhile, in India where Pakistan is blamed for starting the clashes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reported to have given a free hand to his National Security team and military to aggressively respond to the violations.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan but both lay claim to the scenic Himalayan region.

Clashes occur regularly along their disputed border known as the Line of Control (LoC) as well as along the internationally recognised frontier dividing Indian-administered Kashmir from Punjab.

Violence has fallen in the region since 2004, when the countries began a peace process a year after signing a ceasefire agreement that has largely held.

But there has been speculation that India's new right-wing nationalist government will take a more hardline approach.

India, which has an estimated 500,000 troops deployed in its part of the disputed region, called off peace talks last month after Pakistan consulted with Indian Kashmiri separatists.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...