Relative peace has returned along the border in the Jammu division with no fresh incident of ceasefire violation reported during the past 30 hours.
Even though Pakistan rangers fired at ambush posts (mounted posts before the fence) at three places, there was no retaliatory fire. Local commanders of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been given strict instructions to exercise maximum restraint.
Pakistan had last fired at the Indian side on early Friday morning, which had left two people injured as a mortar shell exploded in their home.
"There has been no instance of firing since Friday. Rangers did fire at our posts at few places but since it did not hit them, we didn't retaliate," said a senior BSF official.
The official added that strict instructions have been given to local commanders not to fire back unless it's extremely necessary.
"Even if retaliatory fire is necessary, senior officials have to be informed by the local commander and they must be kept in loop before firing back," said a senior BSF official.
BSF sources said there are reports of casualties suffered by Pakistan in the retaliatory fire and it started a vicious cycle of firing. Efforts are being made to cool down the situation at the border, they added.
There have been about 200 incidents of ceasefire violation in the Jammu division this year. The firing along the international border had started about 15 days back after 10 people were killed in twin terror attacks at Hiranagar police station and an army camp in Samba.
{{/usCountry}}There have been about 200 incidents of ceasefire violation in the Jammu division this year. The firing along the international border had started about 15 days back after 10 people were killed in twin terror attacks at Hiranagar police station and an army camp in Samba.
{{/usCountry}}One BSF jawan was killed and 10 were injured in the firing along the border. About 20 civilians have also been injured with many homes damaged and people forced to move to safer places, though temporarily, since the start of the firing. J&K shares 178 km international border with Pakistan.
"Even though we are exercising maximum restraint, it depends on the response of Pakistan. As of now, it all depends upon how situation evolves in the next few days," said a BSF official.