Army warns Pak of retaliation
In a telephonic conversation with his counterpart from across the border, DGMO Gen Bhatt says they will strike back if the neighbour continued to assist infiltrators
NEW DELHI : India on Monday warned Pakistan of “appropriate retaliatory actions” if the neighbouring country’s army continued to “abet infiltration” and violate ceasefire.
Indian Army’s director general of military operations (DGMO) lieutenant general AK Bhatt conveyed the strong message to his Pakistani counterpart over the phone on Monday morning.
“DGMO Indian Army conveyed his commitment of ensuring peace and tranquillity which is contingent on Pak army’s intentions and actions,” the army said in a statement.
“If Pak army continues to abet infiltrations and cause trans-LoC firings, the Indian Army will take appropriate retaliatory actions.”
The two DGMOs usually speak on Tuesdays but this unscheduled conversation took place on the request of the Pakistani side.
India’s aggressive stance along the line of control (LoC) as part of a reworked approach towards › counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir appears to have rat- tled the Pakistani army, sources in defence ministry said.
Not just the LoC, security forces have stepped up the offensive in Kashmir Valley as well, bringing back search operations after almost 15 years.
General Bhatt also highlighted “needless escalations” by the Pakistan army along the LoC, the de facto border between the two countries.
The Pakistani DGMO raised the issue of civilian killings. “DGMO Indian Army conveyed that the Indian Army is a professional army and will not harm civilians in any manner,” the statement said.
The army has carried out “punitive fire assaults” against Pakistani posts providing cover fire to militants trying to sneak into J&K.
What makes these fire assaults different is that the army on May 23 released a rare video of the military action, showing heavy artillery blasting temporary bunkers and shelters on a tree-covered mountain.
The army went public with its action a few days after a rogue Pakistani border team crossed the LoC, attacked a patrol and beheaded two Indian soldiers.
The Pakistan army on Sunday released a video purportedly showing damage it has caused to the Indian military posts across the LoC.
The two sides have exchanged heavy fire in recent weeks. Ceasefire violations along the LoC go up in the summer as snows melts and mountain passes open through which militants sneak into India. Pakistani troops give cover fire to infiltrators.
If Pakistani Army continues to abet infiltrations and cause transLine of Control firings, the Indian Army will take appropriate retaliatory actions. ARMY IN A STATEMENT