Expressing concern over the killings of civilians in the ceasefire violations by Pakistan, defence expert P.K. Sehgal on Wednesday said the political class in India needs to act together to restore normalcy in Kashmir.
Sehgal told ANI, "We have to make sure that we try our best to strengthen the civil dispensation by whatever means at our disposal, keep Pakistan involved in an internal strife in each of its provinces. In addition we have got to make sure that Pakistan is punished appropriately, and every time they do some sort of mischief, the retribution from our side must be very swift and very punitive, and the third thing what we got to do, is to hold the valley together."
Sehgal was speaking even as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed for immediate political dialogue between India and Pakistan to de-escalate the situation in the valley.
"I am deeply pained over the fresh spate of civilian killings, including children and women, in border shelling and urge the political leaderships in New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective and urgent measures to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the miseries of the hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir who are caught in this deadly crossfire," Mehbooba said.
She said the unabated border shelling has seen a tragic humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, where innocent civilians and their properties are being targeted.
The Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday targeted around 14 Pakistan posts along the International Border (IB) in response to the unprovoked firing and shelling of Pakistan Rangers in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramgarh and Arnia sectors.
Yesterday, a 19 year old girl was killed and three civilians were injured after the Pakistan troops violated ceasefire in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir.