Ignoring its civilian leadership’s aim to stabilise the situation along the Line of Control (LoC), India’s top military leadership has bluntly accused Pakistan of drastically stepping-up ceasefire violations in a bid to push in as many militants as possible into Indian-held Kashmir before winter sets in. Days after the prime ministers of the two countries met in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and agreed to ease tension along the Line of Control (LoC), such statements may act counter-productive in the process of making peace. Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, who is also chairman of the chiefs of staff committee, said Pakistan was making “frantic attempts” to ensure that maximum number of terrorists infiltrate across the LoC before the mountain passes get snowed under. “There is increased intensity in the border violations this year, which is there for the whole world to see. There have been far more violations this year compared to the last two-three years,” he said, adding Pakistan must “maintain the sanctity” of the decade-old ceasefire agreement. Army chief General Bikram Singh, speaking separately, also stressed that the infiltration attempts from across the border had “definitely” jumped up this year as compared to earlier years. Maintaining that no posts, bunkers or village had been “occupied” by the infiltrators, Gen Singh said, “They have been stopped, prevented. Some of them have been neutralised. Operations are on to flush them. It takes time since we want to avoid our own casualties.” Incidentally, there was a fresh infiltration bid on Friday in the Keran sector, just about six km south-west from the ongoing operation in Shala Bhata area. “Three militants were killed in the operation,” said an officer.
