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'Unprovoked' Pak firing was intended to stall peace talks: Fernandes

Defence Minister George Fernandes told the Lok Sabha that the "unprovoked'' firing by Pakistan since July 27 along the Line of Actual Control in Jammu and Kashmir was to obstruct and stall a bilateral dialogue between the two countries.

In a suo motu statement, Fernandes said Pakistan also tried to create a sense of alarm by orchestrating the incidents on the border to project J&K as a ''flashpoint''. Pakistan's desperation was becoming acute in view of the fast declining support of the people in the Kashmir valley to militancy.

In recent months, the Indian security forces had been able to intercept and reduce the level of infiltration. As if to give vent ''to their frustration'', Pakistan had targeted not only Indian posts but also civilian inhabited areas. Batalik, Kargil, Kanzalwan, Tangdhar, Keren and Uri were the main targets.

On July 27 and 28, Pakistani artillery and mortars targeted Indian posts in the civilian areas in Batalik and Kargil. An appropiate retaliation came on July 30.

Sporadic exchanges were continuing. Till yesterday, 10 army soldiers, six Border Security Force constables and 31 civilians died on the Indian side. Seventy-seven army soldiers, four BSF constables and 77 civilians were wounded.

UNI

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