The ceasefire signed between India and Pakistan on 25th Nov, 2003 seems to have outlived its life. The Thursday violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control at Sawjian in Poonch sector is the second one since 1st June and could have crossed the thousand mark by this time thus giving the futile utility of the agreement. Govt itself had admitted on 24th February in the Rajya Sabha that Pakistan violated ceasefire along the border 685 times during the last eight months in Jammu and Kashmir. The escalation of activities along the borders is a common feature at this time of the year. All these were deliberate attempts to disrupt the peace. The series of ceasefire violations by Pakistan beginning on the eve of New Year had continued till February. The plan to strengthen vigil and security all along the International Border in Jammu region and Line of Control included laser walls to stop infiltration from Pakistan which was announced in November last. The laser wall will ensure that anyone approaching the border or breaking the beam in an unfenced zone sets off an alarm. These beams would form a wall in places such as the riverine parts of Jammu where fencing isn’t possible. The system will be connected to an alarm which would go off at any breach. Not only this as many as 40 bunkers are being built in various villages on the border to ensure civilian lives are not harmed during Pakistan shelling. These bunkers are being built under the Border Area Development Programme and would help save civilian lives. The force is acquiring unmanned aerial vehicles and other surveillance equipment to bolster its border defence. It was during this season last year BSF men who were on a wild growth clearance detected a tunnel in the Samba sector on the International Border. Earlier it was in July 2012 that such a tunnel was detected along the borders. As far as ceasefire violations are concerned there is no complete stoppage. It seems Pakistan has not desisted from its activities even though it is trying to pose normal relations.
