Army warns Pak of retaliatory strikes
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 Pakistan 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 the Monday’s 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 rattled 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.
If Pak army continues to abet infiltrations and cause transLoC firings, the Indian Army will take appropriate retaliatory actions LT GEN. AK BHATT, DGMO
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 27-second video was released a day after it claimed to have killed five Indian soldiers in retaliation to India’s “unprovoked ceasefire violation” in Tatta Pani sector in Poonch district. Indian Army sources said the video was fake and there were no casualties.
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.