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| On Eid, Pak does it again! | | Firing at LoC, sweets at IB | | In 19th incident of this year, ceasefire violated at 7 places in Mendhar sector
Early Times report
Jammu, Sept 21: Amidst celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr on both sides of Line of Control and exchange of sweets between Indian and Pakistani troops on International Border, there was a usual act on the dividing line –violation of ceasefire at least at seven places along LoC in Mendhar sector of Poonch district.
This is not the first time when Pakistani forces or militants resorted to unprovoked firing or made an infiltration attempt through Line of Control or International Border on the occasion of Eid. In eight of the past ten years there has been case of skirmishes on the border on the day of Eid. Keen watchers of the situation here believe that the Pakistan Army and Rangers take the firing on Indian side as a form of celebration of Eid.
Sources said that in another case of ceasefire violation by the Pakistan side, small arms firing took place from across the border at Mendhar in Krishnaghati sector. Reports of small arm firing have also been received from seven other places along LoC in Mendhar, most notable able them Tata Pani, which an LoC crossing point.
The firing took place on Sunday night at around 8 pm, and went on for around 15 to 20 minutes. The Indian Army also retaliated to the firing but in a controlled manner. This is the 19th case of ceasefire violation by Pakistan this year.
It was on the eve of Eid last year, on October 1, when Pakistani troops resorted to firing from across the border at the Tent border outpost (BOP) to push in armed militants through Pargwal sector. A BSF spokesman had then said Pakistani Rangers opened fire on Tent Post around 12.30 a.m. and the exchange of fire lasted 15 to 20 minutes before armed militants beat a hasty retreat.
Meanwhile, few days after exchanging fire at the International border in Pargwal sector Pakistani rangers on Monday brought sweets for their Indian counterparts to celebrate festival of Eid. A group of officers of Chenab rangers visited Octroi post in RS Pura sector on Monday and presented packet of sweets to their Indian counterparts.
On the occasion officers from both the countries together prayed for peace in the region and exchanged pleasantries.
A senior officer of the Pakistani rangers Col Zulfikar during brief interaction with media persons said “every year border guards from both the countries celebrate festival of Eid by exchanging packet of sweets”. He said it is a 60 year old tradition. “We greet each other on the occasion leaving behind animosities”. Commenting on the current situation the Pakistani officer said there is a realisation among politicians and administrators in Pakistan that both the nations have to coexist together and atmosphere of peace should prevail along the border.
BSF Commandant Vinay Kumar said, “border guards always want peace along the International border. We do not want border tension at all.” He said we regularly meet our counterparts and exchange sweets on the occasion of festivals of both the countries.
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