27 soldiers killed in Pak firing this year

editorial@tribune.com

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 25

Almost two months after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the contentious divide running across Jammu and Kashmir, data reveals that 27 security personnel from the Army and the BSF have lost their lives in 2018 due to firing from across the border.

This is the highest casualty for security forces in the past four years and five months of the year still remain. Besides the security men, 28 civilians have been killed in firing by either sides. The data was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Pakistan has officially given the figure of almost 35 civilian deaths, but has not declared the death of its soldiers due to firing from India. Estimates are that Pakistan lost almost 30 security men.

During 2018, security forces of both the countries have logged in more than 1,000 violations each of the ceasefire understanding of 2003.

On May 29, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza called up his Indian counterpart Lt Gen Anil Chauhan and proposed maintaining sanctity of the ceasefire. It was also mutually agreed to that in case of any issue, restraint would be exercised.

On Wednesday, Dr Subhash Bhambre, Minister of State for Defence, in written reply in the Lok Sabha, said, “Appropriate retaliation to these ceasefire violations has been carried out wherever necessary.”