Yasmeen Manzoor
Srinagar, 06 Dec (KNB): Ceasefire violations between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control and the international border in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is rising on every passing day with taking lives of innocent people. Violations had made life miserable and effectively broken down the border dwellers, apart from loss to property, cattle, crops and others, every now and then more than twenty civilians die and got injured in such violations.
More than 5000 people migrate every year from their native village, almost entire Arnia village along the international border of Jammu district has been abandoned by village folks to save their lives.
According to reports, 322 violations took place in 2016 in which 8 army personnel, 5 BSF personnel and 15 civilians were killed and as many as 83 civilians and 98 security personnel’s injured.
In 2017, 503 violations took place in which 15 army personnel, 4 BSF personnel and 12 civilians were killed and 72 security forces and 79 civilians got injured.
Pertinently, 2018 witnessed highest cease fire violations in the last eight years, leading to major casualties to civilians and security forces. As many as 70 security personnel and civilians have lost their lives in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border with Pakistan so far.
The armies of India and Pakistan on Thursday afternoon exchanged heavy gunfire along the Line of control (LoC) in Machhil area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, adding one more violation to this year the exchange of firing was going on as per the last reports.
Those killed this year till November included 70 civilians and Army personnel and 12 personnel of the Border Security forces. During this period, 140 civilians, 45 Army personnel and 45 BSF personnel were injured.
Blood bathed compounds, smashed window panes and demolished houses are all that are left in border hamlets which have been assaulted in cease fire violations. The alarming frequency of ceasefire violations, inflicting a mounting loss of life and property on both sides of the LoC needs to be addressed soon and both the countries should come forward for talks, so no more killing will took place.(KNB)