In a positive development coming from the Line of Control, Indian Army on Saturdaysaid that it has foiled attacks by the Pakistan army’s Border Action Team (BAT) on forward post in Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir, killing at least five to seven intruders.
Defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.”A BAT attempt was made on one of the forward posts in Keran sector (in Kupwara district) and foiled by alert troops resulting in neutralising of five to seven Pakistani regulars/terrorists,”
In the last 36 hours, Indian Army has foiled an infiltration attempt by a Pakistani BAT (Border Action Team) squad in Keran Sector. 5-7 Pakistani army regulars/terrorists eliminated, their bodies are lying on the LoC, not retrieved yet due to heavy firing. (Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/gBa89BuQ0M
— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2019
According to reports at least four bodies of Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group (SSG) commandos or terrorists were located in close proximity of the Indian border post, however, attempt to retrieve these bodies were being interfered by Pakistani troops deployed in the area. The BAT attempt was made on the intervening night of July 31 and August 1.
“In the last 36 hours, there have been a number of attempts by Pakistan to disturb peace in the Valley and target Amarnath yatris. A Border Action Team (BAT) attempt was made on one of the forward posts in Keran sector,” said a statement issued by the Army. “It was foiled by alert troops, resulting in neutralising of five to seven Pakistani terrorists.”According to media reports, there have been five BAT attempts on Indian military posts on the LoC in the past few days.
Indian Army has also offered the Pakistani army to retrieve the bodies of their deceased soldiers nonetheless like all the previous times, Pakistani Army responding to these calls seems unlikely as it would expose their role behind this border intrusion attempt. “Have offered Pakistan Army to take over the dead bodies(of 5-7 Pak BAT army regulars/terrorists). Pakistan Army has been offered to approach with white flag and take over the dead bodies for last rites,they are yet to respond.”
Indian Army: Have offered Pakistan Army to take over the dead bodies(of 5-7 Pak BAT army regulars/terrorists). Pakistan Army has been offered to approach with white flag and take over the dead bodies for last rites,they are yet to respond. pic.twitter.com/x1mF7yHSyv
— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2019
It must be noted that India and Pakistan have exchanged intense heavy firing across the Line of Control in the past few days. An Indian Army jawan was martyred during ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Rajouri’s Sunderbani sector. Two Pakistani soldiers were also killed in retaliatory firing by the Indian Army after Pakistan violated ceasefire in Tangdhar-Keran sector.
The Indian Army had on Saturday also strongly rejected the lies and allegations that “cluster ammunition” was used by India along the Line of Control. This lie was peddled by Pakistan Army’s spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor who claimed that the Indian Army was using cluster ammunition. Ghafoor had tweeted, “No weapon can suppress the determination of Kashmiris to get their right of self determination. Kashmir runs in our blood. Indigenous political freedom struggle of brave Kashmiris shall succeed, IA.” Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was also involved in spreading this lie. In a tweet, he said, “Strongly condemn the blatant use of cluster ammunition by Indian Security Forces targeting innocent civilians along the Line Of Control. This is clear violation of the Geneva Convention & International Laws.”
Use of cluster bombs by Indian Army violating international conventions is condemnable. No weapon can suppress determination of Kashmiris to get their right of self determination. Kashmir runs in blood of every Pakistani. Indigenous freedom struggle of Kashmiris shall succeed,IA.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 3, 2019
The Indian Army had responded to these misleading tweets spreading false information. The Indian Army had said, “Pakistan army regularly attempts to push terrorists through infiltrations and opens up with multitude of weapons to assist them.” The Indian Army had also made it clear that during several Directorate of Military Operations-level talks, the right to respond has been maintained by it. In its statement, the Army had said, “Such responses are only against military targets and infiltrating terrorists who are aided by Pak Army. Allegations of firing of cluster bombs by India is yet another Pak’s lie, deceipt and deception.”
