In the biggest ceasefire violation along the International Border in a decade, Pakistani soldiers opened fire at Border Security Force (BSF) posts at 25 different locations in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday night. Sources in the BSF say they have asked for a flag meeting to lodge formal protest but are awaiting response from Pakistan.
Here are the 10 big developments in this story:
The firing, that began around 7:30 pm on Friday and continued through the night, stopped on Saturday morning. The BSF retaliated with mortars.
Two BSF personnel were injured and one infiltrator was killed as the Indian Army foiled multiple infiltrations bids through the night.
Heavy exchange of fire was reported from Kathua, Samba, Hira Nagar, RS Pura and Pargawal sectors.
There have been over 150 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the last two months. (Injured in Pak shelling: Children aged 10, 12 and 14)
People living in the area near the border say they are considering migrating to safer places as their houses have been damaged in the firing. (Watch video here)
Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said the government will handle the "high priority" matter "with great determination to protect sovereignty and safety of the country." "We have full confident in our forces. We owe them tremendous gratitude for showing restrain, dedication, determination and total preparedness to face any situation," he added.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said New Delhi should take up the issue strongly with Pakistan, adding that it would be "extremely difficult to maintain talks on ceasefire if the situation worsened." (Ceasefire violations worse after PM-Sharif meeting: Omar Abdullah)
Intelligence sources say there are more than 40 training camps across the Line of Control and 700 militants are ready to infiltrate. More ceasefire violations are likely just before winter sets in and snow blocks the passes, they add. (Infiltration attempts will increase as Lashkar, Jaish terrorists wait to enter India: Intelligence sources)
Mr Abdullah yesterday also questioned why the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif last month has failed to stop the spurt in such incidents.
In the backdrop of the increased ceasefire violations, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde will visit forward areas along the International Border on October 22 to review the security situation.
