Escalating tensions: As India resumes shelling, Pakistan warns of payback
After a brief lull of 24 hours, Indian forces violated the ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC) once again on Saturday and fired mortar shells at the civilian population in Nezapir sector of Haveli district, some 200 kilometres from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
In the village of Mohri, a 70-year-old man was injured in shelling and shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Haveli, where medics said he is in a stable condition.
Pakistani troops effectively responded to the Indian shelling, the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement. “Every Indian violation on the LoC and Working Boundary will meet a befitting response,” it added.
It further said that Pakistani forces “respond in the same way of any misadventure” from across the Working Boundary and the LoC by the Indian forces.
Over the last nine days, Indian forces have violated the ceasefire 15 times at Nakyal, Haveli and Dara Sher Khan areas of AJK. This has been the worst flare-up of tensions at the LoC since 2003.
“We don’t care about the Indian forces as we also have the ability to retaliate in seconds,” said Arshid Butt, a resident of Haveli.
Meanwhile, the AJK government established a control room to disseminate information to the media regarding the situation at the LoC. Additionally, locals who wish to get updates can also contact the control room.
“The control room would be headed by Additional Home Secretary Hameed Mughal to share accurate information regarding the current situation of the Line of Control with the people,” AJK Finance Minister Chaudhry Latif Akbar said. He added that India has been working on a specific agenda to escalate tensions at the LoC.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2014.
COMMENTS (25)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1725612926-0/Tribune-Pic-(8)1725612926-0-165x106.webp "article")
1732177276-0/Copy-of-Untitled-(62)1732177276-0-270x192.webp "snow and freezing weather to disrupt uk travel plans")
What will India gain by invading? Absolutely nothing but trouble.
"Pakistan warns of payback." Okay, maybe payback against ceasefire or working boundary violations. But what if India invades?
Sialkot is not a disputed border. It is close to but not part of the border between Pakistani and Indian held Kashmir. Then why would not India let independent UN observers come and see who is instigating matters? If it is Pakistan then India should really push for UN observers so that they can show the whole world that Pakistanis are shelling across the Sialkot border unprovoked.
@Rahat Hassan: We know all are lessons buddy. From 1965 to Kargill. But I am sure you are not a student of history.
@Prem - "How come both sides say the same thing? One of them is definitely lying."
And we know who the liars are... the ones who would like to corner the budget for military expenses by stoking false fears & alarms.
@ All Indians, neither New Delhi is Washington nor Islambad is Kabul. When there is India and Kashmir all Paksitanis are united to teach you a lesson......
@Truth how many hundreds of millions of indians dont have access to a toilet, and how many hundreds of millions live in abject poverty.
@Gp65 Dare I take over yours or Ban Ki Moon's preoccupation? Facts are that both countrys leaders are the worst one along with many others in this century. Todays generation deserve a progressive leadership with foresight instead of hindsight.
Rex Minor
Oooh .....we r scared. Bring it on Pakistan. We dare
The fact of the matter is Pak forces are pound for pound in a much stronger position, battle hardened. India doesnt want it, it will harm their economy more than ours.
While we waste time responding, which is India's game, the are have built rockets going to Mars. We should realize that these provocations play right into their hands. Lets focus on trying to better ourselves and our country and forget about the LOC. India has progressed so far in the last 20 years that there is no longer a comparison. Our country should take a good hard look at itself in the mirror.
@Rex Minor: Were you under the impression that Nawaz Sharif controls Pakistan's security policy or foreign policy?
Please review the hostory of which country adimits that they had developed 'strategic assets' to bleed the other country with a thousand cuts. Also do check which country has attacked the country and each time told its people hat they were the ones who were attacked? Then extrapolate to figure out who started this.
@Conceited: You are absolutely right. However, we are never going to get our house in order. Because that suits the status-quo minded politicians, bureaucracy and the establishment. They would not be able to rip-off the state if it was in order. Appeasement is the only way to go.
I'm Indian and I read newspapers of both India and Pak. It looks like both sides claim that the other started it. One of the two sides is wrong and we may never know for sure as to which one. The problem here is that while the chest thumping goes on on either side, someone/small group on one of the sides stands to gain from this. The citizens of either sides should smart up to this silly game which isn't even oneupmanship. Talking this down and not succumbing to the seemingly intended emotional trap seems like the smart thing to do. For as long as this thing goes on we can be sure that all of us are being taken for a ride by the forces on one of the sides.
Why we never have guts to say it to Americans who have killed more a thousand Pakistanis during last decade with their drone attacks? Pakistani army is afraid as if America is some God for them.
Liars...the whole world know Pakistan. Therefore us not informed pak of Osama operation
Choice is yours. Peace or War? I am a big fan of Modi for his mission for peace in the region.
Winter is coming.This is rime every year to push terrorist in side the Indian border.Pakistan kabhi nahi sudh re gaa after 50000 thousands civilian deatth army death still same tectics.Only god can save this rouge country.
Use reverse psychology on them-----------please keep fighting, enjoy exploding your bombs!!!!
Don't warn. Show what you can do.
The World Bank and IMF were very excited to hear Pakistan use the word "payback" - that was until they realized it had nothing to do with their loans.
How come both sides say the same thing? One of them is definitely lying.
Given our Army’s preoccupation in Waziristan and our domestic political conflicts, this game of ceasefire violations’ and its timing is of the choosing of India. So let us play it cool and not fall into Indian trap. Let us put our house in order first then we shall be in a position to respond to Indian aggression effectively.
We don’t care about the Indian forces as we also have the ability to retaliate in seconds,” said Arshid Butt, a resident of Haveli. And Sir, when are you going to retaliate? it would seem that the Sharifs would rather appease.
Rex Minor