(a) whether the Pakrangers blew up various iron pillars and the barbed-wise fencing in various sectors of Jammu & Kashmir and also continued firing along international border of the State;
(b) if so, the details in this regard;
(c) whether any protest has been lodged by the Government of India in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that the border fencing is done without disruptions?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO)
(a)&(b): Yes, Sir. Pak troops have attempted to damage iron pickets in small portion of fencing in three different incidents on Jammu International Border. The details are as under:
(i) 24 Nos. iron pickets were damaged in an IED blast in Ramgarh Sub-Sector of Jammu International Border on the intervening night of 18th/19th May, 2001. Damage was immediately repaired.
(ii) 15 Nos. iron pickets were damaged in an IED blast in Akhnoor Sub-Sector on the intervening night of 20th/21st May, 2001. Damage was repaired.
(iii) 22 Nos. iron pickets were damaged near Border Out Post Golpattan in an IED blast on the intervening night of 16th/17th May, 2001. Repair work is being under taken.
Pakistani troops are also resorting to unprovoked firing on Jammu International Border, mainly during night hours, which is appropriately retaliated by BSF.
(c)&(d): Strong protest was lodged by BSF during its flag meeting with Pak Rangers.
(e): Government has taken several steps including augmentation of troops at Border Out Posts, laying additional ambushes, use of night vision devices, undertaking mobile patrolling, laying of depth nakas by Police and Village Defence Committees etc. to ensure that fencing is done without disruption.