Ceasefire violations, infiltration attempts at LoC see sharp spike

NEW DELHI: Pakistan has tried to “significantly increase” infiltration attempts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir this year and as a result the number of casualties on its side have been “record high”, Defence minister Arun Jaitley told the Lok Sabha on Friday morning.

Jaitley also said 2017 has also seen a sharp increase in ceasefire violations at the LoC by Pakistan. Till August 1, there had been 285 such violations by the Pakistan Army while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year. Last year, eight Army personnel were killed in the ceasefire violations. The minister did not share the casualty figures for 2017.

Jaitley was responding to queries to members during Question Hour on strengthening the lines of defence.

Last year, on September 29, the Indian Army announced that it had conducted surgical strikes at several terrorist launch pads along the LoC “to pre-empt infiltration by terrorists.”

“Appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations and other tactical incidents by Pakistan Army, as required, is carried out by Indian Army,” Jaitley said in response to BJP MP Bhairon Prasad Mishra’s question.

“Securing the borders is a continuous process,” Jaitley said adding that measures like augmenting border fencing and upgrading the anti-infiltration obstacle system are ongoing. “Our Army dominates the western border,” Jaitley said while declining to divulge the details of the equipment and technology deployed to secure the border “in national interest.”

He said both at the LoC and the international border, “radars, sensors and all the equipment needed and the arrangements are increasing.”

“Success in stopping infiltration has gone up,” Jaitley said.