Ceasefire violations by Pakistan in J&K went up 47.5 per cent in 2020: Govt
By TIOL News Service
NEW DELHI, FEB 03, 2021: CEASEFIRE violations along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir went up 47.5 per cent from 3,479 in 2019 to 5,133 in 2020, the Home Ministry informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Terrorist attacks in the union territory fell 59 per cent to 244 in 2020, compared to 594 in the corresponding period.
"Jammu and Kashmir is affected by terrorism sponsored and supported from across the border for the last three decades. The government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism," said Union Minister of State for Home Mr G Kishan Reddy.
In 2020, there were 22 civilian and 24 security personnel martyred due to the ceasefire violations, while terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 37 civilian and 62 security personnel.
A total of 10,752 cases of ceasefire violation have taken place along India's border with Pakistan since 2018, in which 436 security personnel and 411 civilians have been killed and wounded.
During the three years, 1,452 terrorist attacks have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir in which 478 civilians and 717 security personnel have been killed and wounded, Mr Reddy said in a written reply to a question.
There were 635 terrorists killed in gunfights with security forces during the three years.
The minister said in a 2017 meeting of the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers, the issue was cross-border firing was discussed.
"It was agreed upon by both sides to ensure that no such firing takes place. In case of any firing, the other side must exercise maximum restraint and immediate contact through all available means of communication be established to avoid further escalation," he said.
He added that the "substantial decline" in terrorist attacks over the last three years is due to a slew of pre-emptive measures undertaken by the government such as kinetic, preventive and night patrolling.
He added that to expose various terrorist outfits active in Pakistan, India has collected evidence and raised the issue at various bilateral and multilateral discussions.