NEW DELHI – 2017 has been the most violent years on the LoC — the ceasefirebetween India and Pakistan, in place since 2003, now exists more in itsbreach than in adherence to it by the two sides.
As per official data, there have been 820 ceasefire violations so far thisyear — nearly four times the number in the previous year. There were 228ceasefire violations on the LoC last year, an increase from only 152 in2015.
“2017 has been very violent on the LoC. In spite of the violence though,there was some control we could exercise. This is reflected in the numberand kind of kills (the number of militants killed during infiltration). Ourcasualty figures on the LoC are not that high, if you consider the numberof ceasefire violations occurring this year,” an official source said.
The Indian Army has lost 31 soldiers on the LoC this year, including 14who died in ceasefire violations. Another 17 died in counter-infiltrationoperations and other incidents on the LoC; cross-LoC action at locallevels, for which no official data are available.
However, sources confirmed that there has been a significant rise incross-LoC action by both sides this year.