Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Apr 30: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack last week in which 26 people were killed, India has warned Pakistan against the “unprovoked violations” along the Line of Control, official sources said on Wednesday.
The key military officials of both countries have spoken over the hotline on Tuesday when the warning was issued. “Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan talked over the hotline yesterday to discuss the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan. India warned Pakistan against the unprovoked violations by the Pakistan army along the Line of Control,” the sources said. The exchanges came amid increasing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack.
Pakistani troops on Monday resorted to unprovoked firing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Kupwara districts, continuing with their ceasefire violations along the LoC. Monday’s incident was the fourth consecutive night that Pakistan resorted to small-arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) and came amid heightened tension between New Delhi and Islamabad following last week’s terror attack in Pahalgam.
“Further to the previous update about 29-30 April (night), unprovoked small arms firing by Pakistan Army was also reported from their posts across the Line of Control in Baramulla and Kupwara districts, as well as across the International Border in the Pargwal Sector,” a defence spokesman said, adding that Indian Army troops responded “appropriately.”
There were no casualties reported but firing across the International Border is rare and is being seen as an escalation from Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. After nationwide outrage over the killing of 26 people, mostly tourists, in the targeted attack, India has taken a series of diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including revoking visas and suspending the key Indus Waters Treaty, which lays out how water from the six rivers of the Indus system will be shared between the countries.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday affirming that it is India’s “national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism,” had said the Indian armed forces have his full confidence and “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing” of India’s response.
The Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday asserted his party stands in support of the Prime Minister in the government’s fight against terrorism. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have come out on streets to denounce terrorism after the April 22 Pahalgam massacre.
The former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh said, “The Congress has always fought against terrorism. Our two former Prime Ministers (Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi) were martyred fighting terrorism. The Congress has never compromised on the issue. We have extended full authority to Prime Minister Modi to do whatever is right for the country.” Pakistan has been backing terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, but the people of the Union Territory have firmly opposed it, he noted.
Another Congress leader Jairam Ramesh lashed out at the Centre saying, “The BJP cannot seem to decide who the real target is — the Congress, the terrorists, or Pakistan.” “On April 22, we demanded an all-party meeting. It was held two days later. Even though the Prime Minister did not attend, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were present and emphasised the need for national unity,” added Mr Ramesh.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said the government should convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack. Mr Raut targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought action against him over the “intelligence failure” leading to the attack. “Our demand is to convene a special session on Pahalgam and set aside two days for discussion on the terror attack. But the government will not allow anyone to speak on Kashmir,” Mr Raut said.
Meanwhile, dozens of Pakistani nationals living in India headed to the main land crossing between India and Pakistan on Wednesday after New Delhi ordered almost all Pakistani citizens to leave the country following last week’s deadly attack in Pahalgam.
The deadline for Pakistani citizens to leave the country — with exceptions for those who are on medical visas in India — passed on Sunday, but many families were still scrambling to the border crossing in Attari town in northern Punjab state to cross into Pakistan. Some are arriving on their own and others are being deported by police.
