In an aggressive posturing, Pakistan Army has violated ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control (LoC) for at least 240 times in the first 35 days of 2018 killing nine Indian soldiers. It means on an average, Pakistan Army has been violating peace pact seven times daily since January 1, which clearly shows their desperation to prove their mettle.
However, in response to the killing of four Indian Army personnel, including a 22-year-old captain in the Pakistani shelling along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts, Indian Army claims that it will continue to give a "befitting reply" and its action will speak for itself.
"That (retaliation) goes without saying, I think I don't have to say that. Action will speak for itself," Lt General Sarath Chand, Vice Chief of Army Staff, said. India might take up the matter on Tuesday's DGMO-level talk between the two forces.
While assessing the Pakistan Army's behaviour, defence officials, based at the South Block in New Delhi, maintained that the firing is likely to continue for some days, as it happens after casualties.
"Things will not be going to normalise on the LoC, as we will have to respond to the misdeed by Pakistan Army," an officer said.
Last year has witnessed 860 instances of ceasefire violations by Pakistan side, which Indian Army has responded to strongly. "Both sides have enhanced the intensity and caliber of artillery, which led to maximum killings on both sides," a senior Army officer said while explaining the reason for killings on Pakistani side.
In 2017, 138 Pakistan soldiers were killed in retaliatory action by Indian Army on the LoC. However, in the same period, 28 Indian troops martyred in the firing from Pakistani side.
An official said that initially it was direct firing using weapons having less impact. But as it escalates, indirect weapons like mortars are being used causing a lot of damage.
"Our bunkers are built to withstand the firing but due to repeated hits the ceiling sometimes caves in. In rare cases, the mortar falls in such a way that the blast is directed inwards which seems to be the case here," an officer said, while talking about Sunday's incident, in which four Indian Armymen died.
"ATGMs (Anti-tank guided missiles) are usually used during escalation in direct firing role," the officer added, while confirming the use of such anti-tank missiles by the Pakistan Army.
Army sources claimed that it was an escalatory ladder (firing on the border) which started in December after a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Indian Army was killed. Indian side responded hard by killing a Pakistani Army officer. Official sources said that "they (Pakistan Army) have to placate their side and show they have caused higher damage on our side. And we have to retaliate if hit".
However, since morning on Monday there has been no firing on the border. "This tit for tat goes on unless there is a longish gap. Hope this pause extends," the officer added.
Meanwhile, condemning the Sunday's attack, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said the he has full faith in the valour of the army who shall “give proper reply” to the neighbour.
“Have full faith in the valour of our soldiers, and they shall give proper reply,” Rajnath Singh said, while his junior minister in the home ministry came out strongly by saying that it shall “cost Pakistan dearly”.
"We will not forgive Pakistan’s actions. The ceasefire violations would prove to be Pakistan’s foolishness and will cost them dearly," Hansraj Ahir said.
