TNC Desk, Feb 3
As many as 24 security personnel were martyred and 22 civilians lost their lives in 5133 ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the International Border/Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in 2020.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy informed that 24 security personnel were martyred and 22 civilians killed in 5133 ceasefire violations. In 2020, as many as 244 terrorist attacks were reported in which 221 terrorists were eliminated.
In the same period, 62 security personnel have sacrificed their lives while fighting terrorists and 37 civilians lost their lives.
It was informed in the Lok Sabha that last DG level meeting of BSF and Pakistan Rangers was held from 08-10 November, 2017 at New Delhi. During this meeting, the issue of cross border firing was discussed, in which it was agreed upon by both sides to ensure that no such firing takes place. In case of any firing, the other side must exercise maximum restrain and immediate contact through all available means of communication be established to avoid further escalation. Flag meetings are also held on ground, on need basis, between Commanders of different level.
No assessment is made to ascertain the losses to the exchequer due to such attacks. However, compensation is provided to the civilians, security force personnel, etc. for the losses due to such attacks.
Government has been consistently raising the issue of cross border terrorism and has placed high emphasis on international cooperation in combating the menace of terrorism including in bilateral, regional and international fora. Some of the steps taken by the Government to curb terrorist activities are as under:
i. Kinetic operations: actively identifying the terrorists and their tactical supporters, seeking them through operations like cordon and search giving proper response if they resort to violence while being arrested etc.
ii. Preventive operations: actively identifying the strategic supporters of terrorism and initiating investigations to remove the camouflaging layers and exposing their mechanisms of aiding and abetting terrorism such as funding, recruiting etc.
iii. Night patrolling has been intensified and Nakas have been set up on all likely infiltration routes. The vehicles coming from borders areas are being thoroughly checked.
iv. Coordination meetings are being regularly conducted and high-alertness is being maintained by all the forces deployed in the area.
v. Sharing of Intelligence inputs on real time basis among all Security forces operating in J&K.
Further to expose Pakistan’s connection with various terrorist outfits in the international arena, Government of India is also using the various evidence collected during investigations of terror attacks for inclusion in bilateral and multilateral discussions.
