Army warns Pakistan: Claim intruders’ bodies, curb terror
JAMMU: A day after two heavilyarmed Pakistani intruders were killed in a gunfight, which also left three soldiers dead, the Army on Monday gave a stern warning to Pakistan to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil. The army has also asked Pakistan to take over the bodies of its two hostile nationals, said an army officer who did not want to be named.
“Pakistan Army has been informed through established communication channels to take over the bodies of the hostile Pakistani nationals. A stern warning has been conveyed to Pakistan Army to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil,” the officer said.
Three soldiers of Eight Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) — Havildar Kaushal Kumar of Nowshera (Rajouri), lance naik Ranjeet Singh of Doda and rifleman Rajat Kumar Basan of Pallanwala (Jammu) — were killed and rifleman Rakesh Kumar of Samba was injured when a group of five to six armed intruders crossed the line of control (LOC) and fired on an army patrol in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district on Sunday. During the gunfight, two intruders, wearing combat uniform and believed to be members of Paki- stani Border Action Team, were eliminated but their identity could not be ascertained.
The officer said since the Director General of Military operations (Dgmo)-level talks on May 29, Indian Army has been maintaining utmost restraint to uphold ceasefire along the LOC despite regular provocative actions from across the border. However, he added, Pakistan Army has been vigorously attempting to send terrorists across the LOC which was evident from the fact that seven infiltration bids have been foiled by the Army since May 30, in which 23 terrorists have been killed, the officer said.