Jammu,
In Kashmir’s hinterland, security forces have launched a major offensive against militants and anti-insurgency operations are on the rise, but the situation on the Line of Control (LoC) has been deteriorating.

Attempts by militants to infiltrate into this side and killings on the LoC have increased in the past three months, giving a tough time to security forces.

From January 1 to March 3, the Pakistan army has violated the ceasefire agreement on the LoC 777 times. As per records, 16 security forces personnel have lost their lives on the LoC while defending the borders while 10 militants have also been killed on the LoC.

Since January 1, the Army has lost 13 soldiers in various incidents on the LoC, which include sniping, missile attack, ceasefire violations and anti-insurgency operations. On March 21, the Army lost its three men Havildar Jorabar Singh, Naik Muhammad Ashraf Rather and Naik Ranjit Khalkho — during an encounter with militants in the Halmatpora forest area along the LoC in Kupwara district.

During a ceasefire violation on January 13, Lance Naik Yogesh Muralidhar Bhadane was killed in the Sunderbani sector. Lance Naik Sam Abraham was killed in the same sector on January 19. Sepoy Mandeep Singh was killed in the Krishna Ghati sector on January 20 while Signalman Chandan Kumar Rai and Naik Jagadish Kumar succumbed to their injuries on January 21 and 24, respectively. Both Rai and Kumar were injured in January 20.

On February 4, four Army men, including a Captain, were killed when the Pakistan army fired an anti-tank guided missile on a forward post in the Bhimber Gali sector of Rajouri district. The slain included Captain Kapil Kundu, Rifleman Ramavatar, Rifleman Subham Singh and Havildar Roshan Lal. On February 11, Gunner Kishore Kumar Munna was killed in Pakistani firing in Poonch.

A BSF man was killed during a sniping incident in the Karnah sector on the LoC on February 20. He was identified as Constable SK Murmu.

The J&K Police, which is mostly active in the hinterland and plays an important role in anti-insurgency operations, also lost two of its men on March 21. The slain policemen included Selection Grade Constable Deepak Thusoo and Special Police Officer Muhammad Yousuf.

On the 198-km-long International Border with Pakistan in the Jammu region, the BSF have lost three men since January 1.