India and Pakistan skirmish in war like situation in Kashmir

Thousands of Indians have fled from their homes as fighting between India and Pakistan spread along a 200-km (124 mile) stretch of the border in the disputed region of Kashmir.

Tension between the nuclear-armed rivals has risen since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called off peace talks in August and clashes along stretches of their border have been erupting intermittently since October.

At least 10 Indian and Pakistani soldiers and civilians have been killed in fighting over the past week.

About 6,000 civilians in Indian-controlled Kashmir fled from their homes late on Monday as fighting moved to civilian areas, said Shantmanu, the divisional commissioner of Jammu region. About 4,000 left after fighting began last week.

Since the partition of British India in 1947 and creation of modern republics of India and Pakistan, the two South Asian countries have been involved in four wars, including one undeclared war, as well as many border skirmishes and military stand-offs.

The dispute over Kashmir has been the cause, whether direct or indirect, of all major conflicts between the two countries with the exception of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, where conflict originated due to turmoil in erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

The 2014–15 India–Pakistan border skirmishes are a series of ongoing armed skirmishes and firing exchange between the Border Security Force and Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir area and Punjab.

In October
India – Early October, a 17-year old girl was killed in alleged cross-border firing by Pakistani troops in Poonch district while four other civilians were injured. Pakistani military official accused India of violating the ceasefire and opening fire in Pakistani village near Sialkot, after which Pakistani military retaliated.

On October 6, Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) personnel allegedly fired along the working boundary in Sialkot, killing four and injuring five. The Indian media reported death of 5 civilians injuring 34 others in a ceasefire violation from Pakistan in Arnia belt of Jammu district. It is said to be the highest Indian civilian causality in a decade across the Line of Control in the India-Pakistan conflict.

The Indian and Pakistani forces did not exchange sweets along with the Wagah border taking a break from the traditional festival’ meet on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

The following day, one woman was allegedly killed in Charwa sector by Pakistani troops and eight people were killed and three injured as Indian security forces allegedly fired and shelled a village the Chaprar Sector. Later that day, two women were killed and 11 injured as Pakistani troops targeted 50 security outposts along the LoC.

On October 9, two Pakistani civilians were allegedly killed on by Indian forces. Meanwhile two Indian women were killed by Pakistani forces in an unrelated incident.

On October 11, Indian forces allegedly violated the ceasfire after a brief lull. No loss of life was reported. later Pakistan army allegedly violated ceasefire in Arnia targeting BSF outpost

In November
India – On November 8, a civilian Gulshan Bano and a soldier were killed by Pakistani troops in Kamalkot area of Uri sector

Pakistan – After a day of handed over a 13 years old student, to Indian authorities at Chakoti-Uri crossing point by Pakistani Officials.

Pakistan – On November 20, a Pakistani soldier was killed by Indian troops in the Pandu sector near Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir.

In December
India – On December 30, Pakistani officials handed over 16 year old girl to her family who had mistakenly crossed the Line of Control (LoC).
India – On December 31, One BSF soldier, Constable Sri Ram Gowria was killed in Pak firing in Jammu & Kashmir’s Samba sector.

Pakistan – On December 31, Two Pakistan rangers, Naik Riaz Shakir and Lance Naik Muhammad Safdar were killed in Indian BSF firing at Shakargarh Sector of Narowal district. According to Pakistani sources, the soldiers were heading to participate in the flag-meeting when they were fired upon by BSF troops at Zero Point. The Pakistani officials also claimed that the BSF fired at those who went to rescue the injured soldiers too. The BSF officials claimed that the firing was in retaliation to the previous day’s Pakistani firing and that four Pakistani soldiers were killed instead. On 1 January 2015, two funeral prayers were offered for the two Pakistani soldiers killed.

2015
In January
Pakistan – On January 2, a 13-years old girl, Sumaira was killed by Indian army firing in Pakistani residential areas of Zafarwal, while a 5 year old child, Mursaleen was injured in the Shakargarh sector of the Sialkot.

India – On January 2, a woman and two army soldiers ware killed by Pakistani army firing. 11 people were also injured. The Hindu reported that 2 Pakistani Rangers were killed after 9:30 PM IST during the exchange of Fire.

Pakistan – On January 5, Four civilans were killed by Indian firing and shelling on Pakistani residential areas, including 18 years old Azeem from Bore Chak and a woman from Sukhmal village in Zafarwal sector and two other civilians. Pakistani soldiers also responded by firing on BSF posts. ISPR reported that the Pakistani retaliatory firing on BSF posts caused heavy losses to them.

India – On January 5, A BSF soldier was killed by Pakistani firing on BSF posts at Hiranagar in Samba sector of Jammu & Kashmir. The Dunya News reported that at least 5 Indian soldiers were killed by Pakistani retaliation

SOURCES – Reuters, Wikipedia