200 per cent jump in ceasefire violations in Ramzan

New Delhi: As part of a well-planned strategy to foment trouble along the border and in the Kashmir Valley, Pakistan resorted to unprecedented ceasefire violations, with an increase of 200 per cent during the holy month of Ramzan when the Centre had announced a ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir. The ceasefire was for the entire month of Ramzan between May 17 to June 16 during which the security forces had suspended all major operations against terror outfits.

Though both the Army and BSF were successful in neutralising the Pakistani onslaught, sources said Pak forces not only wanted to push in more militants in the Valley during Ramzan under cover of heavy firing, but also had plans to engage Indian forces in a “limited armed operation”.’

Pakistan resorted to heavy firing and ceasefire violations both along the International Border and the Line of Control on as many as 338 occasion during the month-long period of Ramzan. This was a sharp increase as compared to 139 ceasefire violations reported by Pakistani forces from April 16 to May 16, before the ceasefire was announced.

Sources said during the month of Ramzan, Pakistan resorted to heavy firing in sectors like Arnia, Poonch, Kathua, Rajouri and RS Pura in addition to firing in certain pockets along the LoC. Sources added that anticipating this action by Pakistan, Indian border guarding forces had been out on high alert and thus were successful in thwarting attempts by Pak forces in carrying out any major damage.

“Pakistan clearly did not respond positively to the unilateral ceasefire announced by the Centre. Instead, they tried to take advantage of the situation to create further trouble in the Valley by resorting to increase armed operations along the border. This clearly shows Pakistan’s intent that it is not willing to support any peace initiative by the Centre in the Valley,’’a senior security official said.

Pakistan’s plans, security officials claimed, were two-fold. Firstly, Pakistan wanted to engage and keep the Indian security forces busy in a ''limited armed operation’’ along the border but this attempt failed as both Army and BSF too resorted to strong retaliation. Secondly, Pakistan tried to push a number of militant into the Valley during the ceasefire under cover of heavy shelling.

 However, security officials claimed that infiltration attempts by subversive elements also failed during the Ramzan period as there was stiff resistance by the Indian security forces. ''Pakistan perhaps did not realise that we too would be well prepared for the situation  and were pushed on the defensive in wake of stiff retaliation by both Army and BSF. This is perhaps the reason why most of the militants waiting along at the launch pads along the border and LoC were forces to go back,’’the official added.