The tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate as Pakistan violated ceasefire in Kalsiyan, Kalal and Baba Khori area of Naushera sector early morning on Tuesday, October 4.
Lt Colonel Manish Mehta, spokesperson for the Indian Defence Ministry, stated that the "unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistani troop" began in the three locations around 3 am (IST). The attacks were initiated by Pakistan using "small arms, automatics and mortars," to which Indian forces reportedly retaliated in kind.
Further, the Border Security Force (BSF) seized an abandoned Pakistani boat from Tota Guru post (Dera Baba Nanak post) on the Ravi river in Punjab on Tuesday, October 4. On Sunday, October 2 evening, Pakistan had targeted Indian posts along the LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
These attacks, among the many others, were initiated by Pakistan government after India conducted a surgical strike along the Line of Control on September 28, during which many terrorist gangs based in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir were destroyed.
Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad even challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to start a war following the surgical strikes. "Ye laaton ke bhoot baaton se baaz nahi aate, inko laate hi maarni padengi [Pakistan shouldn't get scared India's empty threats, it should respond in action],"Miandad told a Pakistani T Vchannel, adding "They [Indians] are cowards. Action is the best reaction," he added.
Call for peace
Pakistani Envoy Abdul Basit insisted on the two countries having a conversation regarding the tensions. "If India is ready, Pakistan will be willing. But if India is not ready, we can always wait. India has to make up its mind," said Basit. This seems to be a sentiment shared by the locals in Kashmir, the epicentre of India-Pakistan tensions.
Kargil (J&K): War is not a solution, we want this to end. Peace can be restored again: Local resident on current situation b/w India & Pak pic.twitter.com/nZuPST4WMP
— ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016
Pakistan holds all party conference
Meanwhile, Pakistan held an All Parties Conference on Monday to discuss India's LoC violations and the unrest in Kashmir. "India should know that it will get a befitting response for its terrorism over water in Jammu and Kashmir," Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar said, echoing the sentiments of most leaders gathered at the function.
Russia and the US in favour of India
Despite landing their soldiers in Pakistan for their first military exercise earlier this month, Russia is reportedly in support of the surgical strike that India conducted. Russian Ambassador to India Alexander M Kadakin said that Russian Federation plainly admits that terrorists come from Pakistan.
"India should not be concerned about military exercises between Russia and Pakistan because the theme of the exercise is anti-terror fighting. It's in India's interests that we teach the Pakistani Army not to use itself for terror attacks against India. And the exercise was not held in any sensitive or problematic territories like the Pakistan-occupied Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir," Kadakin told CNN-News18.
The United States, meanwhile, has called for US "calm and restraint" from both countries, further confirming that its position on the Kashmir issue is unwavered. "...I would remind you that we are having conversations with both countries on the importance of reducing the tensions in the region," State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters on Monday, October 3.
Terrorists attack police station in Jammu and Kashmir (8.05 pm IST)
Terrroists attacked a police station in Yaripora.
Army carries out search operation (8.09 pm IST)
Indian Army carried out cordon and search operation in the RS Pura sector.
Venkaiah Naidu attacks Sanjay Nirupam (9.18 pm IST)
Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, and Information and Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu attacked Congress member Sanjay Nirupam after he called the Indian Army's recent "surgical strike" operation as "fake."
Naidu said, "We saw today some political leaders speaking the language of Pakistan. India wants peace with neighbours. But look what Pak is doing, entire world knows. Who is gave shelter to Laden, and now to Dawood?"
"Such politicians don't realise the consequences of their irresponsible talks, shows their lack of confidence in our jawans" he warned.
Maharashtra CM reacts to Sanjay Nirupam's statement (9.28 pm IST)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reacted to the statement made by Sanjay Nirupam calling it an "insult to our soldiers." He said that it was similar to what Pakistani PM did, which was to condemn Indian attack before denying it.
Pakistan continues ceasefire violation in Naushera sector (10 pm IST)
Pakistan has been firing intermittently in the Naushera sector. Indian troops have "appropriately" responded to such violation.
