The Border Security Force (BSF) lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan Rangers on Saturday over a recent skirmish that lasted for eight hours along the International Border (IB) in Jammu’s Arnia sector. Officials said the BSF formally raised the recent ceasefire violation with their counterparts on official channels.
The recent “unprovoked” ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Rangers began on Thursday and ended on Friday morning. One BSF jawan and a woman sustained minor injuries in the firing and shelling.
A BSF spokesperson said a Wing Commander-Commandant level flag meeting had been held between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers at the Border Outpost Octroi. “The BSF delegation lodged a strong protest to Pak Rangers for unprovoked firing in Arnia area in the night intervening 26/27 Oct 2023. The meeting ended in a cordial atmosphere to maintain peace and tranquillity on the International Border,” the BSF said in a statement.
This is the second time since October 17 that Pakistan Rangers opened fire on the IB and targeted BSF positions. Two BSF jawans were injured on October 17.
‘Zero terrorism’
Outgoing Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Saturday said the graph of terrorism in J&K was at a record low.
“The word ‘zero’ has become a positive indicator, shedding off the negativity in J&K during the last five years. There have been zero collateral damage, zero law and order incidents, and zero civilian casualty during the period,” Mr. Singh, who is retiring later this month, said at a police function.
Mr. Singh said three terror incidents were reported in Anantnag district in south Kashmir this year. “Thirty-six police stations showed a 100% terror-free record,” he added.
He said operation capacity building had been launched this year to provide 43 police stations with the latest weaponry and anti-terror teams. “In the first phase, we covered 21 police stations. Teams have been launched for the remaining 22 police stations. These police stations are being covered under zero terror plan,” Mr. Singh said.
The DGP said command vehicles were being deputed to the police stations, and they were being equipped with modern gadgets, “which will be extremely useful during different anti-insurgency operations”. “Providing additional safety gears would surely increase the efficiency and capabilities of our dedicated force working on the anti-terror front,” he said.
He said the latest weaponry and drones had been made available to special squads to tackle terror incidents. “With the deputation of these squads, the area domination would be further strengthened,” Mr. Singh said.
He said that it had been decided early this year to work out a “zero terror plan”, and the 43 police stations where terror crimes were reportedly high had been identified and subsequently strengthened to fight terror crimes.
“Special training was given to the officials deputed in these police stations. Around 300 policemen completed training in August this year and 307 [policemen] completed training today. These peace and stability teams would be working round-the-clock for the security and safety of the people,” the DGP said.
He said bandh calls and the pelting of stones had “vanished completely”. “The number of misguided youths joining terror ranks has also come down significantly,” the DGP said.
Referring to the killing of five terrorists in Machil, Kupwara, the DGP said the incident showed “the enemy continues its attempts to disrupt the peace in J&K”. “Our border grid is strong and we will ensure all bids are foiled on the Line of Control (LoC). Police and security forces are working in perfect synergy to wipe out terrorism,” Mr. Singh said.
