New Delhi (NVI): There have been 250 casualties of Indian troops during the ceasefire violations by Pakistan between 2013 and 2019, Indian Army has informed in an RTI reply.
As per the RTI information provided by Indian Army to Lucknow-based activist Dr. Nutan Thakur, there have been 70 fatal battle casualties and 180 non-fatal battle casualties of army personnel during ceasefire violations by Pakistan since 2013.
The information provided by CPIO of Indian Army Lt Col Jagdish Prasad states that the highest number of fatal battle casualty was 23 in 2017, followed by 19 in 2018, while the highest number of non-fatal battle casualties was 52 in 2018 followed by 47 in 2017. The combined figure of fatal and non-fatal casualties was highest at 71 in 2018 followed by 70 in 2017, compared to 15 in 2013 and mere 02 in 2014.
It may be noted that ceasefire violations along Line of Control has been a continuing phenomenon, but it has witnessed a significant spurt in this year, particularly since August 5 when the Government withdrew the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 of the Constitution.
According to reports quoting Indian Army sources, there have been 2317 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 2019 till October 10 whereas in 2018 the figure was 1629. Till September 15, 21 Indians had lost their lives in these ceasefire violations, the Ministry of External Affairs had informed on September 15.
Pakistan mostly resorts to unprovoked firing to provide cover to terrorists trying to infiltrate into India. On September 15, the Ministry of External Affairs had highlighted its concerns over “unprovoked ceasefire violations,” “cross border terrorist infiltration”, and “targeting of Indian civilians”.
The Indian government has been continuously asking Pakistani administration to adhere to the 2003 “ceasefire understanding, maintain peace and tranquility along LoC and the International border” but to no avail.
-nad
