An injured BSF jawan being treated at a hospital in J&K
One Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed and six others were injured as Pakistani soldiers opened fire and targeted 50 locations along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir last night. Heavy firing went on till late in the night in all the six sectors along the border, particularly in RS Pura and Pargawal. Pakistani troops reportedly used small arms, mortars and rockets to shell BSF posts and nearby villages.
Here are the latest developments in the story:
In the wake of the recent spurt in ceasefire violations, talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries have been put on hold for the time being, sources have said. (Military-level talks with Pakistan put on hold, say Army sources)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif had had agreed upon these talks when they met on the sidelines of the UN general body meeting in New York last month as a measure to ease the tension along the border.
Sources have told NDTV that the South Block is not keen to push for the DGMO meeting. New Delhi is watching the situation along the border keenly. "Talks cannot happen if the ceasefire agreement is continuously violated and casualties sustained," a senior official told NDTV.
The latest border provocation came on a day when Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is in the US on a four-day tour, once again asked for America's help to settle outstanding issues with India, including the "core dispute of Kashmir". (Pak PM Nawaz Sharif again seeks US mediation on Kashmir issue)
"With its growing influence in India, the US now has the capacity to do more to help the two sides resolve their core disputes, including Kashmir, and in promoting a culture of cooperation," Mr Sharif said on the eve of his meeting with President Barack Obama.
Earlier on Sunday, when Nawaz Sharif had hinted at seeking US intervention to resolve the Kashmir dispute, the government of India and all political parties had condemned his comment in one voice.
Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who visited Samba sector in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday, rejected the Pakistan premier's proposal for US intervention saying "Kashmir is ours" and that there is no question of any role for a third party.
Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid had earlier said, "Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India - there is no question of anybody interfering with this idea. The US knows this very well."
On Monday, Army Chief General Bikram Singh met Defence Minister AK Antony to discuss the situation at the Line of Control and the border.
There have been over 200 ceasefire violations by Pakistan this year, with over 50 reported along the international border in the past one week. The near-daily ceasefire violation has triggered fear among civilians living in border areas, forcing them to migrate from their villages to safer locations.
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