Ceasefire violations on LoC in 2014 breach 11-year-old record

New Delhi: The year 2014 saw over 550 violations by Pakistan of the 2003 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, breaching a 11-year-old record.

In 2014, according to available figures provided by the army, there was a 158 percent increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

"2014 has seen the highest cease-fire violations by Pakistan, targeting civilian areas and forward border posts along LoC and international border (IB)," said military spokesman Colonel SD Goswami.

Troops of India and Pakistan intermittently exchange fire on the LoC (Line of Control) and IB (international Border), despite the 2003 agreement to observe the ceasefire. Pakistan's increased firing and sniper attacks on civilian areas and forward posts have made the army take a tough stand.

Colonel Goswami further stated, "We are giving primacy to preventing infiltration by adopting a robust counter-infiltration strategy, which has an appropriate mix of technology and human resources put together to check infiltration effectively, while we simultaneously degrade remaining terrorists in the hinterland".

Data accessed from the Ministry of Defence said that the highest ceasefire violations were reported from Jammu sector.

The army has been directed to respond appropriately with double the force, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said recently.

It may be recalled that over 32,000 people were forced to leave their homes and take shelter in relief camps established by the government following heavy firing by Pakistan troops on civilian areas and forward posts along the LoC.

Former Border Security Force Director General DK Pathak termed the ceasefire violations as the most heavy case of firing and shelling since the 1971 Indo-Pak War.