New Delhi: More than six decades after independence from the British Raj, ties between India and Pakistan continue to be marred by mutual distrust. Over the past 66 years, India and Pakistan have fought three major wars and been involved in a number of minor conflicts. Recent hostilities along the common border suggest this won't change anytime soon. Starting from the mid-January 2013, they have been described as the "worst bout of fighting in the JK region in nearly 10 years". It began on 6 January 2013, Indian and Pakistani forces attacked each others border post, killing one Pak soldier. In a second skirmish on 8 January, Indian authorities said that Pakistani forces crossed the LoC, killing two Indian soldiers. The incident sparked outrage in India and harsh reactions by the Indian army and government over the news that the body of one of the soldiers, Lance Naik Hemraj, had been beheaded. Pakistan denied these reports. On 15 January, a third skirmish reportedly led to the death of another Pakistani soldier. After talks between Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia and Major General Ashfaq Nadeem, an understanding was reached to de-escalate the situation. But the skirmishes continued despite peace efforts by the countries resulting in 8 Indian casualties in total and 9 Pakistani casualties till August. Civilians were also affected adversely by the border skirmishes. Here is the month-wise report of border skirmishes between the two arch-rivals:January The incident happened between Chhatri and Atma outposts on the LoC in Mankote area of Krishna Ghati, Jammu and Kashmir, at 10:30 am on 8 January 2013. According to the Indian Army, a Pakistan Army "Border Action Team", wearing black combat uniforms, crossed over the LoC and ambushed an Indian Army patrol team 600 metres inside Indian-controlled territory. They reported that the Pakistani soldiers took advantage of the foliage and dense fog and opened fire on an area-domination unit of Sector 10, killing two soldiers of 13 Rajputana Rifles and injuring two others. February Another incident occurred when on 15 February, a Pakistani soldier was killed in a firefight with Indian troops when he accidentally crossed over the line of control, injuring two Indian soldiers. June On 7 June 2013, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of Indian Army was killed in cross-border firing with Pakistani troops in Sabjian area of Mandi sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district. The deceased was identified as JCO Naib Subedar Bachan Singh 3 Garhwal Rifles. July In a press-release, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that a Pakistan Army soldier was killed and another was seriously injured in July firing by Indian troops from across the Line of Control (LoC). The incident took place on Rawlakot's Nezapir sector near the LoC at about 10:30 am on Saturday, 27 July 2013. Pakistan's soldier Asim Iqbal, a resident of a village near Rawalpindi, was killed in the firing and soldier Naik Mohammad Khan was critically wounded. August On 5 August 2013, some exchanges were reported on the LoC during which Indian Border Security Force head constable Ram Niwas Meena was injured in sniper firing in the Samba district. Meena later succumbed to his injuries on 11 August. On 6 August 2013, five Indian army soldiers were killed in firing by Pakistani Special Forces at the Line of Control (LoC) as they slept in a temporary shelter. On 8 August 2013, Indian troops opened fire wounding a Pakistani male civilian along the LoC. On 11 August 2013 there were media reports of sporadic exchanges of fire across the LoC from both sides. On 12 August 2013, Pakistani sources reported that a civilian was killed as a result of "unprovoked Indian shelling." On 14 August 2013, a 60 year old Pakistani civilian, Saki Muhammad, was killed by Indian firing and his teenage daughter Nabeela was injured. On 15 August 2013, mortal shelling from the Indian side injured six Pakistani civilians in Kotli, PoK. Simultaneously, three Indian soldiers were injured and a civilian killed by Pakistani firing on the Indian side the same day. On 21 August, a Pakistan Army captain named Sarfaraz was killed and another soldier, Yasin, injured due to Indian cross-firing. On 22 August, two Pakistani soldiers, identified as Habib and Gul Wahab, were killed as a result of Indian firing. On 24 August, continued firing from India killed one more Pakistani soldier and injured a woman. On 25 August, a woman died and seven other civilians were injured near Muzaffarabad on the Pakistani side, following cross-border shelling by Indian forces. September On 18 September, continued firing and shelling from Indian sides killed one women and several injured. October After peace talk between Prime Ministers in New York, on 15 October, one Indian solider Lance Naik Mohd Firoz Khan of Rashtriya Rifles Battalion was killed by Pakistani LoC Firing. On 22 October one BSF jawan was killed and 4 injured in another ceasefire violation by Pakistan Rangers at RS Pura sector.
