'We have proof Pak violated ceasefire'
In what could be the first ceasefire violation by Pakistan this year, firing by Pakistani Rangers was reported in the Samba sector in Jammu last night Although BSF sources have stopped short of calling it a ceasefire violation calling it instead an 'attempted infiltration' by militants, the Pakistan government has denied any firing by the Pak rangers. Meanwhile, the sources from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs have categorically told TIMES NOW that the Border Security Force (BSF) has ample evidence that the firing was by Pak Rangers giving cover fire to a group of Pak militants.
What BSF says
The BSF says grenades have been recovered from the fence at the border and that the India-Pakistan border fence has also been damaged. It is still unclear as to whether the militants succeeded. Describing the incident, BSF says it noticed a spark at the electrified fence indicating someone was trying to cut it, and that alarmed officials to take positions to counter fire.
They say soon after this they had to counter 500 rounds of fire by Pakistani Rangers, which they now say was to provide cover for militants to enter India.
A K Mitra, DG of BSF in Jammu, said to TIMES NOW, "Apparently an effort has been made by some militants to infiltrate by cutting the fence. After the fence was cut an attempt was made, but this was spotted by one of sentries who opened fire on the intruder upon which a number of grenades were thrown from the other side. So we also retaliated and apparently the intrusion did not succeed. But it was a certainly a very serious attempt at infiltration made after a very long time... We are quite sure that no militants succeeded in crossing over, but just in case they did we have alerted our posts which are on that axis and we will be able to get them, that is not a problem."
Although BSF has stopped short of calling it a ceasefire violation calling it an attempted infiltration by militants - BSF officers were assessing the situation at the site of the incident and trying to ascertain which party had actually opened fire, before any blame is apportioned on the neighbouring government, sources said.
If it is conclusively proved that the Rangers had opened fire, this could be the first ceasefire violation since January 2008.
What is more alarming in this case is that this would be the biggest ever such incident taking place at the International Border. Infiltration is not uncommon on the Line of Control.
The IB is not a normal area from where militants might attempt to push into the Indian side, since it is fenced and heavily patrolled. Militants normally prefer easier routes opened out due to the melting snows in summer. It is also highly unlikely that militants could have reached the fence without the awareness of Pakistani border forces, says Jammu correspondent Pradeep Dutta. It appears to be a planned infiltration attempt, but what needs to be established is whether a planned formation of Pakistan forces, irregular or regular, was put in place to facilitate it.
From past experience, it appears likely that only about 5 or 6 militants may have been involved since this is a plain area with fencing. This means that two groups of militants would have to be involved - one group to try and sneak in and, on being challenged, a second group under covering fire makes it across border.
In any case, the encounter certainly is embarassing for both countries coming as it does just before a crucial visit by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Pakistan on 21st of May, when he is scheduled to meet his Pakistan counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi for peace talks.
The BSF sources therefore naturally were cautious in labelling the confrontation a ceasefire violation, using the words 'hostile fire'. However looking at the facts currently the question that needs to be answered now is, if it was simply 'hostile fire' to violate the peace - what constitutes 'friendly fire'?
Pak Army denies firing by Pak rangers
Meanwhile, the Pakistan government has denied any firing by the Pak rangers on Thursday (May Cool night. Speaking to TIMES NOW, DG inter services public relations -- Maj Gen Athar Abbas -- said that it was the Pak rangers, who heard the firing and called for a flag meeting. Abbas further said that on hearing the firing, he asked the BSF to explain as to whom they were firing on.
Voice of Major General A Abbas, DG, ISPR said:"Pakistan Rangers heard some firing on Thursday night and asked for a flag meeting both sides. There was no firing by the Pakistani Rangers and no casualties were reported. We don't know what the firing was about, BSF must clarify who they were firing on and trying to engage."
MHA to take up matter with Pakistan
Meanwhile, the sources from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs have categorically told TIMES NOW that the Border Security Force (BSF) has ample evidence that the firing was by Pak Rangers giving cover fire to a group of Pak militants.
The sources further added that a detailed report from the Border Security Force is awaited by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs will take up the matter with the Union Ministry of External Affairs to discuss the joint Indo-Pak terror mechanism talks. The sources further added that firing from the Indian side was completely unprovoked and that our troops fired in retaliation. The Home Ministry has also directed the BSF to hold a flag meeting with the Pak rangers to sort out the issue. And the MHA is clear that if the matter persists, the Pak interior ministry would be intimated.
What next?
This incident will no doubt require some dialogue initiation on the part of both countries, bilateral relations apart. However an odd incident like this will not be allowed to stall the peace process, or the foreign minister level talks, according to defence expert Mahroof Raza. There will likely be no official mention of this incident and any talk of this will most likely be left to the border forces on both sides. The BSF is certainly going to ask for a flag meeting with the local commanders on the Pakistani side.
A meeting between BSF and Pakistani Rangers has been on the cards over a realignment of the fence in any case. The Indian side wants to take the fence more towards the Zero line so farmers can have more area for cultivation. No doubt this new development will also be discussed. The Rangers do not belong to the Pakistan military, but are on the payroll of the government, which has said on record in the past that violating a ceasfire is not a policy.
"I don't think this will create any difficulties - these sort of misunderstandings happen from time to time on the international border, especially with Afghanistan between Pakistani and US forces. It is conceivable that Rangers on this side and Indian security on the other may have got involved, but this is an unexpected and unplanned event. Both governments are aware a lot is at stake here in terms of the ceasefire and the peace talks, and things will not be blown out of proportion. There will probably be some comments from the Pakistani Foreign Office that may even say some people were trying to sneak across and the Rangers were taking action on them which was misunderstood. But beyond this there will be no damage. This new Pakistani government is committed to moving ahead with peace talks in agreement with its military, perhaps even more than Musharraf was," says prominent Pakistani journalist Najam Sethi, Editor, Friday Times.
Nevertheless, TIMES NOW Senior Editor Srinjoy Chowdhury observes that such things do have the potential to sour things, and it is important to know what the India's official stand is - whether Pakistani Rangers are seen to be involved. Though the PM is not expected to speak on the border violation today, a clarification from both sides, allocating blame, is likely since the Border and the LOC have been quiet for a long time.
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