Startling figures
The frequency of incidents of casualties on the across the line of control (LOC) as a result of cross border firing and shelling has increased to a point where it is almost a daily occurrence. As a result the information released after each ceasefire violation has also become generic where most of the time the firing is termed ‘unprovoked’ and is replied to in kind by either Pakistan or India depending on where it originated from.
With every instance of worsening relations with India, ceasefire violations increase and when and if there is de-escalation and the firing stops, no one stops to ask how many lives were lost on both sides. This time though, with daily incidents of cross border firing, an Indian activist asked just that under India’s right to information act – something Pakistan does not have- and the answer is startling. Post Kargil (1999) as many as 4,675 Indian soldiers have been killed due to cross border firing. There was no information about the number of incidents. Going by the retaliatory nature of such incidents it would be safe to assume that casualties on the Pakistani side will also be in the high four digit numbers – the ratio cannot realistically be too skewed in our favour in that respect.
The reply from the Indian army does not include the number of civilian casualties due to LOC firing, a figure that is definitely higher than the number of dead soldiers. In light of these figures there has to be realisation on both sides how little is achieved through cross border firing and how much is lost in terms of money, time and especially lives of soldiers and civilians. The only way forward as evidenced by so many wars and skirmishes fought between the two perpetual enemies is dialogue. Pakistan is prepared to talk and India should heed to the call sooner than later as with each passing day the number of casualties is increasing.
