Indian soldier killed in firing from Pakistan, militants sneak in
Bad things are happening along the Jammu and Kashmir border. Last week, militants tried to cross the border at Samba, in Jammu. Today, Indo-Asian news service is reporting1 that there was gunfire in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch which started at around 7:15 am and killed an Indian soldier of the Ghorka Rifles. Lt Col S D Goswami, defence spokesperson in Jammu, said that the firing from Pakistan was unprovoked and that “Rockets, UBGLs (under barrel grenade launchers) and small arms were used in the firing,”
Even worse, there were unconfirmed reports that at least six militants infiltrated into India under cover of the firing. “An official of the Gorkha Rifles, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: ‘We have instructions to play down such incidents.’”
1(May 19, 2008). “Indian soldier killed in firing from Pakistan, militants sneak in”. The Hindustan Times.
No commentsBSF (border security force) posts more jawans on border
Iqbal states that the Indian border security force (BSF) is confirming that militants from Pakistan did try to cross the border at Samba district in Jammu on May 8. As a result, the BSF has decided to post up to more 1000 soldiers at the border and to install more surveillance equipment. What makes this particular part of the border more vulnerable than others is the existence of an earthen bund (barrier) that was initially constructed to protect the initial builders of the border fence from Pakistani artillery. The bund is now being dismantled in order to improve visibility to make the spot less vulnerable to incursions by militants. This is an interesting article from 2005 providing some background about life in the Jammu border districts.
Article: BSF posts more jawans on border
Author: Zaffar Iqbal
Publication: NDTV.Com
Firing at LoC, India concerned
Ahmed reports that, for the first time since Pakistan’s November 2003 declaration of ceasefire, its troops have fired at Indian positions in Tangdhar Sector of the Kashmir valley. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is quoted as finding this to be a worrisome development. Violence is on the increase in the Valley as well as in the plains.
Article: Firing at LoC, India concerned
Author: Rashid Ahmed
Publication: The Hindustan Times