2020–21 India–Pakistan border skirmishes

The 2020–2021 India–Pakistan border skirmishes were a series of armed clashes between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control in the disputed region of Kashmir, which is subject to extensive territorial claims by both countries. The standoff intensified when a major exchange of gunfire and shelling erupted between Indian and Pakistani troops in November 2020 along the Line of Control which left at least 22 dead, including 11 civilians.^[15][16][17]

2020-2021 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
Part of the Indo-Pakistani conflicts and the Kashmir conflict
Map of the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir
Date November 2020 – 25 February 2021 (3 months, 1 week and 5 days) Location Line of Control, Kashmir Result Ceasefire[1][2] Status quo ante bellum
Belligerents
India	Pakistan
Units involved
Indian Army Border Security Force	Pakistan Army Pakistan Rangers
Casualties and losses
Per India: 5 servicemen[3][4][5] and 6 civilians killed[3][6] Per Pakistan: Several casualties[7]	Per Pakistan: 7 servicemen and 21 civilians killed[8][7][9][10][11][12] Per India: 13 servicemen killed[13][14]

Casualties

According to Indian Army sources, 11 Pakistani soldiers were killed in clashes, while 16 soldiers were injured.^[18][13] Six Indian civilians, four soldiers and one border guard were killed per the Indian Defence Ministry.^[3] Indian military released videos which showed mortars hitting and damaging Pakistani bunkers along the border.^[19]

Pakistani military sources said that five civilians and one soldier were killed in Pakistani-administered Kashmir amidst the clashes.^[7]

On 21 November, two Indian soldiers were killed in Rajouri.^[4] On 26 November, one Indian soldier was killed in Poonch and an additional two Indian military fatalities were reported in Rajouri on 27 November.^[5] On 15 December, two Pakistani soldiers were killed in the Bagsar region of Azad Kashmir according to Pakistan.^[10]

In November, Pakistan's foreign ministry said India had violated ceasefire at least 2,729 times in 2020 which resulted in the deaths of 21 Pakistani civilians and seriously injured 206 others.^[8]

Peace agreement

India^[1] and Pakistan^[2] released a joint statement, stating that after discussions, the two sides agreed to "strict observance" of all peace and ceasefire agreements with effect from midnight 25 February 2021. Both sides agreed existing forms of contact and border flag meetings would be utilized to resolve any future misunderstanding.

See also

• India–Pakistan relations
• Line of Control
• India–Pakistan border
• Kashmir conflict

References

1. "Joint Statement". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
2. "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". ispr.gov.pk. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
3. Six civilians among 11 killed in Pakistan firing at LoC
4. "J&K: Two Army personnel killed in shelling by Pakistan in Rajouri". Scroll. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
5. Singh, Prashasti (27 November 2020). "2 soldiers killed J-K's Rajouri district in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan army". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
6. "Multiple ceasefire violations by Pak along LoC: 5 soldiers among 11 killed". LiveMint. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
7. "6 including soldier martyred in AJK, 10 killed on Indian side in major escalation along LoC". Dawn. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
8. "India, Pakistan report deadly violence along Kashmir border". Al Jazeera. 13 November 2020.
9. "Two Pakistan Army soldiers martyred in Indian ceasefire violation". The Express Tribune. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
10. Hashim, Asad (16 December 2020). "Pakistan says two soldiers killed by Indian shelling in Kashmir". Al Jazeera.
11. "Pakistan army says soldier killed by Indian shelling in Kashmir".
12. "India martyrs Pakistan Army soldier in latest unprovoked ceasefire violation: ISPR". The News International. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
13. Rao, Madhu (13 November 2020). "11 Pakistani soldiers killed by Indian Army in retaliatory firing along LoC". India TV News.
14. "J&K: 2 Pakistani soldiers killed as Indian Army retaliates to ceasefire violation in Naushera sector". timesnownews.com.
15. "India, Pakistan report deadly violence along Kashmir border". Al Jazeera English. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
16. "Pakistan Rangers violate ceasefire in Kathua". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
17. Bukhari, Fayaz; Naqash, Abu Arqam; Ghoshal, Devjyot (13 November 2020). Graff, Peter (ed.). "Indian and Pakistani troops exchange fire, at least 15 dead". Reuters. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
18. 11 Pakistani soldiers killed in retaliatory firing by Indian Army over ceasefire violations
19. Ashiq, Peerzada (13 November 2020). "Six civilians among 11 killed in Pakistan firing at LoC". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2023.