| Indo-Pak talks ahead, experts question rise in ceasefire | | | Jammu, Aug 18: The seemingly growing incidents of ceasefire violation along the border with Pakistan may be an attempt by the neighbouring country's armed forces to scuttle the upcoming foreign secretary-level talks between the two sides, experts have opined.
The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet on August 25 in Islamabad to discuss a roadmap for dialogue, two years after secretary-level bilateral talks. There have been 48 ceasefire violations -- 11 since August 8 -- from across the border in 2014 and observers feel that these are part of Pakistan army's game plan to scuttle the talks. "Pakistan Army does not want peace talks with India. They, therefore, put pressure on their government. If the government does not listen, they try to do some mischief so that India is forced to call off talks. "The continued ceasefire violations are a step towards that goal," claimed security and strategic analyst and former brigade commander, Brig Anil Gupta. Former Director General of Police, J&K, and security expert MM Khajuria echoed Gupta's thoughts, and opined that Pakistan army and Pakistani intelligence agency ISI are always on their job of sabotage.
The spurt in ceasefire violations since August 8 has seen Pakistan troops engage in unprovoked and indiscriminate firing on and shelling of scores of Border Outposts, forward posts and civilians areas along the LoC and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Poonch districts. Asked about the ceasefire violations, PRO Defence, Northern Command, Col SD Goswami, said it was "a cause of concern" but added that "the ceasefire on the borders is holding out with a few aberrations". "Incidents of ceasefire violation are being taken up through the established mechanism. A strict vigil is being maintained along the borders; counter-infiltration measures by the army have been further strengthened", Goswami said. |
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