Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Services (JKPSC)

• 18 Feb 2025

Exchange of Fire on Line of Control (LoC)

Why in News? 

Recently, an exchange of fire erupted on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pir Panjal Valley’s Poonch. Authorities reported no casualties in the incident. 

 Key Points 

• Ceasefire Violations and Militant Infiltrations: 
  • Despite the ceasefire renewal in 2020, the Jammu region has witnessed frequent firing incidents, including close to the LoC. Several incidents involved infiltrating militants. 
  • In February 2025, an IED explosion killed two Army personnel. In a separate cross-border firing incident, two soldiers sustained injuries in a ceasefire violation. 
  • Indian troops retaliated effectively, inflicting "heavy casualties" on the Pakistani side. 
• Status of Ceasefire Agreement: 
  • Ceasefire violations along the J&K borders have significantly reduced since India and Pakistan reaffirmed the ceasefire agreement on 25th February 2021. 

 Line of Control 

 

• The Line of Control (LoC) emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the United Nations (UN) after the Kashmir War. 
• It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries. 
• LoC is demarcated up to the Siachen Glacier (Point NJ9842)- the world's highest battlefield. 
• LoC is delineated on a map signed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both armies and has the international sanctity of a legal agreement. 

 Pir Panjal  

• About:  
  • The Pir Panjal Range is a mountain range in the northern Indian subcontinent.  
  • It begins in Ramban and extends westward, lying south of Jammu and Kashmir’s Vale of Kashmir, reaching Muzaffarabad District.  
  • The range rises sharply to an average elevation of over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).  
  • It separates the Jammu Hills in the south from the Vale of Kashmir, beyond which lie the Great Himalayas.  
  • The range separates from the Himalayas near the banks of the Sutlej River.  
  • It forms a natural divide between the Beas and Ravi rivers on one side and the Chenab River on the other.  
• Major Passes:  
  • The range has six historical passes, Hajipir Pass, Gulabgarh Pass, Ratanpir Pass, Pir Panjal Pass, Banihal Pass, Bairam Gala Pass.  
• Important Peaks:  
  • Deo Tibba (6,001 m) and Indrasan (6,221 m) are two significant peaks at the eastern end of the range 

Winter Games in Gulmarg Postponed

Why in News? 

Authorities have postponed the 5th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, originally set for 22-25th February in Gulmarg, due to inadequate snowfall caused by the prolonged dry spell. 

 Key Points 

• Severe Precipitation Deficit in Kashmir: 
  • According to the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, precipitation has been “negligible” over the past few months. 
  • The cause of the deficit is the dry spell in the absence of western disturbances, which usually bring rain and snow to the region. 
• Water Shortage: 
  • Several water bodies have witnessed significant depletion, highlighting the impact of the dry weather. 
  • The natural spring at Achabal Mughal Garden in South Kashmir, built by Mughal Empress Noor Jahan, has nearly dried up. 
  • The Irrigation and Flood Control Department warned that continued dry conditions could severely impact both drinking water supply and irrigation in the coming months. 
• Impact: 
  • Authorities have deferred the national winter games in Gulmarg, with the J&K Sports Council stating that a reassessment will take place once snow conditions improve. 
  • Multiple forest fires have been reported, including in Tral, Pulwama district.  
• Environmental Concerns and Future Risks: 
  • Environmentalists fear long-term consequences due to the lack of winter precipitation. 
  • Experts urge authorities to implement mitigation strategies to address the worsening crisis. 

 Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG)  

• The KIWG is a multidisciplinary, national-level winter sports competition that promotes winter sports and encourages more athletes to take up skiing and skating.   
• It includes events such as skiing, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, snow rugby, ice stock sport, snow baseball, mountaineering, snowshoe running, ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating.   
• It is organized by the Sports Authority of India and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.   
• The 2025 KIWG will be held in the Union Territory of Ladakh from 23 to 27 January for ice events, and in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir from 22 to 25  February for snow events. 

 India Meteorological Department 

• IMD was established in 1875. It is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects. 
  • It works as an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. 
• It is headquartered in New Delhi. 
• IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organization.