Answer by Commander Rathore: I am answering this question in a manner that you will be able to answer several probing questions on it.
The Line of Control (778-km long) is a de facto border that divides India and Pakistan and the Working Boundary, which separates the two countries. A ceasefire agreement between the DGMO of India & Pak came into effect in 2003.
According to official figure, Pakistani troops resorted to 3,200 instances of ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, which was highest in the last 16 years.
First let us understand the reasons for ceasefire violations: -
- The trained terrorists in Pakistan waiting to infiltrate across into Indian territory. Role of Pakistan Ranger is very limited along LOC. It is the regular Army of Pakistan who masterminds the entry of terror elements into J&K with cover of ceasefire violation and shelling of artillery and mortar firing.
- Pak army also resorts to Ceasefire Violations to appease its citizen. For ex. After Surgical strike there was increase in cease fire violation. After Balakote air strike there was firing from Pak side for more than a month on regular basis. After removal of Article 370 and 35 A from the Indian Constitution and making J& K a union territory.
- Pak army also resorts to Ceasefire Violations to remain in vogue or to squeeze more or advanced weapons for itself from the Pak Govt.
- Some ceasefire violations happen in the guise of BATs (Border Action Team) of Pakistan, comprising of SSG, rangers and Terrorists. They lay ambush on BSF/Army patrols in the night and slaughter them our reply is often by destroying their post/s.
- Tactical decision. Sometime enemy can be provoked by firing just to make you fire back, to observe the locations, posts and weapons you hold. Indian soldiers ignore such provocations keeping in mind the bigger aim.
Let us understand why Indian Armed Forces need to respond to ceasefire violations assertively: -
- Terrorist cannot be allowed to infiltrate into J&K. Smuggling of Arms and ammunition into India must be ceased.
- Usually the shelling is targeting Indian army/BSF as well as lives of our civilian population. Apart from saving lives of our soldiers, we need to protect Indian villagers living close to LOC and their animal livestock.
- The Indian Army needs to keep its morale & confidence up by locating & destroying the seat of fire even in peace times. A punitive and precise response deters enemy. Fire a bullet. I will fire 100. You do not want me to fire 100, do not fire the first one. Pakistani BATS must be deterred too.
Let us understand how Indian Armed Forces give befitting response to ceasefire violations: -
- Defence Ministry has given full authority to the Indian Armed Forces to act as per their strategy & rule books to respond to Pakistan, The Armed Forces are fully empowered to respond suitably as per resources, logistics and discretion of the military hierarchy. Countermeasures are most of the times extremely severe, leading to huge loss of enemy lives and assets. Their supply lines are disrupted, posts& ammunition dumps are destroyed, snipers are used to eliminate enemy soldiers, ammunitions and equipment are destroyed, power lines, transmission lines etc. are damaged etc…. Care is however taken to keep the civilian casualties to the minimum.
- Surveillance (small spy drones & UAV Heron, satellite), bullet proof jackets for personnel, Artillery & Mortar firing & aircraft like Apache Attack Helicopters are utilised in order to foil the infiltration attempts, destroy Pak artillery & Mortar sites & avoid casualties.
- Currently, India uses RISAT-2 Satellite which can take high resolution images of the earth during day and night, and also under cloudy conditions. This satellites also keeps an eye on terror camps across the border in Pakistan to monitor activities in terrorists camps across the border and give precise location to our Armed Forces to thwart infiltration attempts by the terrorists.
- The Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) also known as Swathi is a mobile artillery locating phased array radar. It provides fast, automatic and accurate location of enemy weapons like mortars, shells and rockets in its 50 km range. The radar can simultaneously handle multiples projectiles fired from different weapons at different locations. This counter battery radar is designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin weapon fire from the enemy.
- Some of the weapons used by India are: The Indian Army has purchased latest (high precision) sniper rifles with a better range (1.5 -1.8 Km), firepower and telescopic sights than the adversary. The sniper rifles Barrett M95.50 BMG and Beretta Scorpio TGT Victoria .338 Lapua Magnum, were inducted in 2019 into some units on the LoC to negate the advantage enjoyed by Pakistan there.
- The advanced artillery 155 mm guns (For ex. Dhanush) with a crew (6 to 8) has a maximum firing range of 38 km. On the other hand, a mortar (Ex. Pinaka) can fire on targets from 7 to 80 Km.
Let us now understand how both India & Pakistan are able to stop escalation of ceasefire violations into a war: -
- issues are resolved through existing hotline contacts and border flag meetings at local commanders’ level. About 14 hotlines exist along the Pakistan border from Gujarat to Jammu. A hotline between the Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) also exists.