India claims attack on Pak army posts
new delhi — India announced on Tuesday it had fired mortars at Pakistani military posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in a recent “punitive assault” as part of counter-terror strategy to stop cross-border militant incursion.
Troops fired at military camps in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir which were being used to harbour militants, an army spokesman said.
“The Pakistan Army has been providing support to armed infiltrators... In recent actions in Naushera (border sector of Rajouri district), we have caused damage to Pakistan army posts,” Major-General Ashok Narula told a briefing in New Delhi.
“As part of our counter-terror operations, punitive fire assaults across LoC (Line of Control, the de facto border) are being undertaken by the Indian army,” Major-General Narula said.
“(A) recent action by our troops in Naushera sector has caused
The Pakistan army has been providing support to armed infiltrators... In recent actions in naushera (border sector of Rajouri district), we have caused damage to Pakistan army posts, Major-General Ashok Narula
some damage to Pakistani army posts which are supporting infiltrations. This is part of our strategy to counter terrorism,” he said, adding India would “proactively” resist militant incursions. “The Indian Army pro-actively dominates the LoC. We want peace and tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Asked when the attacks took place, Narula said it was “recent, very recent” operation.
He didn’t give details but shared a video clip showing what looked like a forested area being bombed and smoke and fire billowing up after the explosion.
The army released footage of smouldering bunkers in ruins after being hit by mortar bombs. The date and place of the bombing was not disclosed. Pakistan denied the allegations. “Indian claims of destroying Pakistani post along LOC in Naushera Sec and firing by Pak Army on civilians across LOC are false,” Pakistan’s military spokesman tweeted. Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley posted on Twitter that the army was taking “preemptive and measured actions” to counter terrorism.
The hostile neighbours regularly exchange mortar fire across the Kashmiri border despite signing a ceasefire in 2003.
But it is very rare for India to disclose details of its strikes against Pakistan, or release videos as proof of such assaults.
Indian claims of destroying Pakistani post along LOC in naushera sec and firing by Pak army on civilians across LOC are false Pakistan’s military
The muscular approach is likely to raise its neighbour’s hackles at a particularly tense time. Indian accused Pakistani troops earlier this month of murdering and mutilating Indian soldiers at the border, and vowed revenge for the “despicable” act. Pakistan denied responsibility.
India won a symbolic victory over its bitter rival last week when the UN’s top court ordered Pakistan to stay the execution of an Indian national convicted of spying. —