After year-long lull, J-K reports first ceasefire violation along LoC

JAMMU — After almost a year of lull, the Pakistani rangers on Tuesday fired unprovoked at a Border Security Force patrol party in Arnia sector of Jammu, breaking the over-a-year-long ceasefire agreement between the two sides.

As per the news agency KNO, the firing invited sharp retaliation along the international border in Arnia sector of Jammu and prompted both the forces to hold a flag meeting to diffuse the fresh tension.

“Befitting reply was given by the BSF Jammu to Pak Ranger’s unprovoked firing in Arnia sector on Tuesday,” BSF spokesman, Jammu Frontier said.

He said, “This morning the alert BSF Jammu troops gave a befitting reply to the unprovoked firing by Pak Rangers on BSF patrolling party in Arnia sector.” No loss or injury to BSF troops was reported.

The spokesperson further said that fresh firing is a violation of the pact between the countries, where both nations agreed to strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight February 24-25, 2021. It was the first time since the 2003 ceasefire agreement that both countries agreed to adhere to the pact.

The BSF Jammu public relations officer also said there was no casualty on the Indian side.

Meanwhile, hours after an incident of ceasefire violation, Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers held a flag meeting along the international border here and agreed to respect the “existing norms”, an official said.

“The company commander level meeting at 1:45 PM on the border ended in a cordial atmosphere,” Deputy Inspector General of BSF S P S Sandhu said.

“The issue of unprovoked firing was discussed and both sides agreed to exercise maximum restraint on the border. Both sides agreed to respect the existing norms in future,” the public relations officer, BSF Jammu said.