A lawmaker from BJP’s estranged ally Shiv Sena called Sunday’s shelling that killed 4 Indian soldiers an act of “war”, and egged on the Centre to fire back at Pakistan.
MP Sanjay Raut criticized the government over the repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control. “This is not just ceasefire, this is 'war'. The government should answer them (Pakistani Army) back in the same way. And, if this doesn't happen, the whole world will call us (Indian's) 'Impotent').
Sanjay Raut said, "Pakistan has used missiles in attacking our jawans yesterday, Are our missiles just for exhibiting & gathering applaud at the Rajpath? Are they just for showing to the Foreign Heads on 26 Jan?"
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Four Indian soldiers were killed in shelling in Bhimber Gali sector on Sunday. According to the news report, shelling from across the border began in Shahpur area of Poonch district around 11.15 am before spreading to Balakote sector in Mendhar and Manjakote in Rajouri district by 3.30 pm.
A 23-year-old Army Captain was among those who were killed.
Army sourced told ANI that Pakistani troops on Sunday had used weapons of a higher calibre, which means either anti-tank missiles or artillery guns.
"The martyrdom of Indian Army soldiers will not go in vain, and the Pakistani Army will be given a befitting response," Army officials quoted as saying.
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Minister of State Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir said, "We will not forgive Pakistan's actions. It will prove to be Pakistan's foolishness and will cost them dearly".
ANI, reporting from Rajouri district in Jammu And Kashmir, said ceasefire violations is not a rare thing in the area and it affects the lives of the locals too.
"There has been firing since yesterday.People get troubled due to heavy firing which happens suddenly. In the neighbouring village, a house was damaged in shelling. There has been heavy loss," a local quoted as saying.
The deputy commissioner of Rajouri said all 84 schools located in 0-5km along the LoC from Sunderbani to Manjakote shall remain closed for the next 3 days.
According to the data, in 2017, there were 860 ceasefire violations along the LoC, including 147 in December. There were 271 ceasefire violations in 2016, a climbdown from 387 violations in 2015.
(With Agency Inputs)
