PDP Seeks PMs Intervention To Halt Downslide In Situation
Jammu – Barely two days after the exchange of firing between Indian and Pakistani troops in Uri sector in which three civilians were killed, India accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire yet again, this time in Poonch sector, 185 south west of Srinagar.
Pakistani troops resorted to small arms firing on forward border belts of Goutrian and Mankote along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector on Wednesday night, Army officials said on Thursday, adding there was cross-border firing first in Goutrian forward belt last evening and later in Mankote-Mendhar belt along LoC late last night. Army troops guarding the borderline took positions and fired back, they said, adding there was no causality or injury to anyone.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah, had on Wednesday, asked Pakistan to respect the ceasefire, saying guns were no solution to any issue. Reacting to the unprovoked firing by Pakistani Army that resulted in killing of three civilians in Uri sector of North Kashmir on Tuesday, Omar had said, We also have guns and mortars. If we also start firing, where will this stop?
Pakistan has violated the ceasefire 23 times in the past two months.
One October 7 and 4th, Pakistan troops had fired on forward posts along the International Border (IB) in Kharwa and Chachwal area in Samba sector.
On October 1, Pakistani troops had fired at Indian posts and Chachwal forward village along International Border (IB) in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir in which a couple was injured.
The repeated firing incidents have triggered panic in border hamlets.
Meanwhile, expressing concern at the increased incidents of ceasefire violation along LoC and international border, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today urged prime minister Manmohan Singh to intervene.
In a statement issued at Srinagar, Mehbooba urged the prime minister to intervene and arrest the downslide in border situation which had generated fear and panic among the people there. She said it was unfortunate that three persons had lost their life in perhaps the worst incident of ceasefire violation since 2003.
Mehbooba said ceasefire between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the historic Atal Behari Vajpayee initiative had a great salutary effect on the lives of people living in border areas from Kargil to Kathua. For the first time in decades people in those areas heaved a sigh of relief and could lead a normal life and pursue their farming and other activities without fear.
“I urge the prime minister to use his good offices and influence in ensuring that the state does not return to a similar situation,” she said. (Agencies)
