Border tensions: Amid fresh India fire, army warns against provocation
The Pakistan Army said on Wednesday that it wanted ‘peace’ with India but would effectively respond to any provocation from across the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary, as the two armies again exchanged fire near Sialkot.
“We are desirous of peace but will retaliate if Indian forces violate the ceasefire,” the chief military spokesperson Major-General Asim Saleem Bajwa told reporters in Bannu after a friendly cricket match at the IDP camp there. Pakistan’s T20 captain Shahid Afridi also participated in the exhibition match.
The statement from the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) came a day after Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley warned Pakistan of more “pain” if it continued to violate a ceasefire on their disputed border in Kashmir and said it was up to Islamabad to create the conditions for a resumption of peace talks.
“Our conventional strength is far more than theirs. So if they persist with this, they’ll feel the pain of this adventurism,” Jaitley told NDTV in an interview.
The two sides exchanged mortars and intense gunfire this month, killing at least 20 civilians and wounding dozens in the worst violation to date of a 2003 ceasefire.
It was not clear what actually instigated the latest tensions, as both sides accused each other of starting the hostilities.
The Pakistan Army on Wednesday again accused India of resorting to ‘unprovoked’ firing in villages near Charwa sector in Sialkot. The ISPR said the Indian troops targeted the civilian population. However, there was no loss of life reported in the latest skirmishes.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2014.
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The country who has WISE leaders like chankya is supposed to do such things.... two faced, hypocrates, with hatred and extremism in their hearts wat else can we expect from India...
It is extremely important for Pakistani citizens not to let the emotions get better of them. Even the govt. of Pakistan knows that their army has provoked firing for drawing attention of the world to kashmir and to infiltrate maximum militants into kashmir before the onset of snow. India, unlike earlier, is not going to let Pakistani army go unpunished and therefore the army needs to be careful to what extent can they provoke Indians. Pakistan, atleast for now, cannot afford a duel with India, with lack of funds and a permanent begging bowl kept in the IMF in its name, demoralized army jawans, and outdated arms and ammunition, it stands no competition.
Mr. Raju We are convinced WE know that thats you guys who have pain actually. Its your Modi strategy to keep us on our Knees Am I Right ? By the way We are not even least interest in you and neither in your coward army. India if you will not make your attitude right then this firing will not be Dewali fireworks ,, Always remember having conflict could harm India 's economy more than Pakistan in long run so Ask your Criminal PM to stay calm....
What the Paki Army and politicians fail to convince their populations on, is why would India provoke firing? Does India want cover fire to send in militants? Does India want to bring international attention to border issues and Kashmir by raising alarms? Does India have a near-civil-war status in 75% of its territory from which it needs to divert attention by creating an external threat? Does India have such lack of economic development that it needs to distract people by changing focus towards survival fear? While Indian politicians are no angels and usually hated more than any other group in the country, the Indian people are not easy to make fool of because of free media and good (not perfect) democracy and undisputed civilian authority over military. Since Pakistani people cannot see through this border-tension-tamasha, I have to conclude that either they have no free press or they are too illiterate (in the majority) to access the internet. God help Pakistan.
We stand by Pak afauj. We are supporting you. Its time to show your muscle to Indian. Its quite long you have been showing your muscles to awam. No more housing societies & businesses, time for making sacrifices.
Just heard that now Afghanistan is also firing on eastern side or the Pak border with one dead in Pakistan...
The firing on LoC by Pak forces is a customary salute to the Indian PM on his visit to Srinagar to celebrate Diwali with the flood affected people of Kashmir today. Such firing incident happened in the similar fashion on Modi's visit to Kargil after his election victory which continued for several days. A friendly advice to the uniformed personnel across the border is not to over do this hospitality gesture which requires strong reciprocation. However, 'Happy Diwali' a festival of light and friendship to our friends in Pakistan.
Hope to see Diwali celebrations at LOC tonight with massive firework from both sides..
India should penetrate with more rigorous force so that in future there should not be any misunderstanding on the part of Pakistan about Indian response. Then there will be peace for a long time in the region.
I guess all words no action from Pakistan?
We will stand with you Pak Fauj
We will support you all the way