Indian Army pounds Pak military camps across Line of Control

THE ATTACK COMES DAYS AFTER THE PAK ARMY POUNDED THE 93RD INFANTRY BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS AND AN ARMY CAMP IN POONCH ON OCTOBER 23

JAMMU: Indian troops on Monday pounded the Pakistan Army’s administrative headquarters in Hajira area of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) across the Line of Control (LOC), according to sources in the intelligence.

The attack, which also targeted 2-3 terror camps, came days after the Pakistani army pounded the 93rd infantry brigade headquarters and an army camp in Poonch on October 23.

An intelligence source said the Indian army used 120 mm mortars and artillery ammunition and pounded the administrative headquarters with nearly 12 rounds in the wee hours of the day. He also said that the Pakistani army did not retaliate at that time.

The Pakistani army’s administrative headquarters at Hajira is around 18-20 km from the LOC in Pok’s territory, he said.

Defence sources, who confirmed the development, have also released a video of India’s retaliatory action.

They said the attack was evident from “photographs made available”. “The residents of border villages also reported that they could see smoke emanating.”

They also said that Indian forces had exercised restraint, and avoided civilian population in POK towns in close proximity of LOC like Hajira, Bandi Gopalpur, Nikial, Samani and Khuiratta “despite the fact that Pakistan Army has settled ex-servicemen and retired government servants much to the chagrin of the disconcerted local populace there”.

Earlier this month, Union home minister Rajnath Singh had said security forces in J&K have been asked not to fire first, but to retaliate without counting the bullets, if provoked.