In the wake of escalating tension along the Line of Control (LoC) and increasing ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Army chief Gen. Bikram Singh met PM Manmohan Singh on Monday evening, in a meeting that was described as “unscheduled”. The Army Chief is understood to have briefed the PM on the situation along the LoC.
The meeting perhaps highlights the serious situation along the LoC, with the Indian Army effectively retaliating to Pakistan’s heavy firing on Indian border posts and villages near the LoC. If the situation further escalates, India may consider evacuation of people living in the villages right near the LoC.
Sources said medium mortars and heavy automatic weapons are being used by the Army to effectively retaliate to the blatant Pakistani ceasefire violation. The Army has not used heavy artillery so far but the situation will dangerously escalate further if the Pakistanis use heavy artillery. “Any use of heavy artillery is a virtual declaration of war,” said a source.