Jammu:
Ahead of Home Minister P Chidambarm's visit to Pakistan another ceasefire violation. This time on the International Border in the R S Pura sector. This is a very vulnerable position. There are Pakistani bunkers on three sides of Border Security Force (BSF) post, which came under firing from Pakistan today.
For more than 12 hours, 30 men of a BSF ambush party were pinned down by firing from Pakistani Rangers in Jammu's R S Pura sector. The firing, targeted at the realigned border fence, started at 4 in the morning and went on intermittently for more than eight hours. The Pakistanis were at an advantageous position with bunkers overlooking Indian posts from three sides.
This Casper vehicle, with supplies and ammunition for the ambush party, was also fired upon. The matter was finally resolved after two rounds of flag meetings between the Rangers and the BSF.
According to BSF sources, Pakistan Rangers have said that they did not start the firing and this is something they usually deny.
This is the second major ceasefire violation in two days. On Sunday, Pakistani troops opened fire in the Machil sector, killing two porters and injuring two jawans.
"This year, you are right, the ceasefire violations by Pakistan have been far more, they have been somehow restricted to certain areas. We have taken requisite steps. We have to ensure that we respond accordingly," said Lt. General B S Jaiswal, Northern Army Commander.
Ahead of the Amaranth Yatra, there are inputs that militants will try and push infiltrators into India. And with Pakistani Rangers giving cover fire, this could perhaps figure on the Home Minister's agenda when he meets his Pakistani counterpart in Islamabad later this week.