There have been more than 1,000 incidents of ceasefire violations along the border by Pakistan this year and India hopes that Islamabad will adhere to the 2003 truce agreement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on June 7, reports The New Indian Express. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said ceasefire violations were being used by Pakistan to aid infiltration of terrorists. Whenever there is an unprovoked attack on the borders, the matter is taken very strongly with the Pakistani side as it involves loss of life and property, he said. "In 2018 alone, there have been more than 1,000 cases of ceasefire violation by Pakistan. We have maintained that the ceasefire violation by Pakistan is used as a cover to infiltrate terrorists into our territory and we have seen the results of such infiltrations in the past. We hope that Pakistan will realise what it is doing and adherers to the 2003 ceasefire agreement between the two countries in this matter," he said in response to a question.
His reaction comes in the backdrop of a militant attack, in which two soldiers were injured while on a patrol near the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector of Kupwara District on June 7. Last week, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan agreed to 'fully implement' the ceasefire pact of 2003 in 'letter and spirit' forthwith to stop cross-border firings in Jammu and Kashmir. However, there have been incidents of ceasefire violation in the past week too.
In response to a question on whether the MEA has put restrictions on Pakistani academicians to attend a seminar in India next month, Kumar said there are several factors that go into participation of any individual or country in a conference or a seminar. According to media reports, the Association for Asian Studies and Ashoka University will be holding a conference scheduled next month, which is to be attended by academicians from all over the over, but the MEA has put restrictions on Pakistani scholars.
Meanwhile, describing the border residents of Jammu and Kashmir as ‘a strategic asset’, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on June 8 announced the raising of two exclusive border battalions of the State Police, reports The Hindu. The Minister also said five battalions of the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) and two women’s battalions of the State Police would be raised with 60% reservation for border residents. “Pakistan has been shelling the International Border (IB) heavily [in recent times]. I have assessed the situation and directed border-specific measures to improve the preparedness. The border residents are our strategic assets. I was happy to see their confidence,” said Minister. The Minister also announced an enhanced compensation package for the border residents.