As tensions flare up again along the Line of Control (LoC) after a brief lull, the Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan held a telephonic conversation over the established hotline on Monday, during which Pakistan accused the Indian Army of targeting its troops.
Rejecting the claim, the Army said it only responded appropriately to ceasefire violations “initiated by Pakistan Army”.
Five dead
During the conversation, Pakistan DGMO Maj. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza raised the alleged “targeting of Pak Army troops” which, he said, resulted in the death of four Pakistani soldiers and a civilian in the Athmuqam Sector of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir opposite India’s Keran Sector in Kupwara district.
“Indian DGMO Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhatt, in response, highlighted that all ceasefire violations were initiated by the Pakistani Army and the Indian Army only responded appropriately to them. Apart from these, firing by Indian troops was initiated against armed intruders when attempting to infiltrate from close proximity of Pakistani posts along the Line of Control,” the Army said in a statement.
Lt. Gen. Bhatt put across emphatically that the trend of infiltration along the LoC continued with active support of Pakistani forward posts, impacting peace and tranquillity along the LoC and the internal security situation.
“This was evident from continued attempts of sniping and targeting of our troops undertaken through cross-border actions duly supported by the Pakistani Army troops,” it was conveyed.
Army sources said Pakistan had requested the call on Sunday evening and the two DGMOs spoke on Monday morning around 10.30 a.m. There is a weekly discussion by officials from the Military Operations Directorate every Tuesday, but the DGMOs speak when one side requests a conversation.
Right to retaliate
“DGMO made it implicit that Indian Army reserved the right to retaliate appropriately to any incident of violation of ceasefire but is sincere in its effort of maintaining peace along the LoC provided there was reciprocity,” the statement added. The last conversation between the DGMOs was on June 5 on the request of the Pakistani side during which both sides discussed the situation along the LoC.
Till June-end, 103 militants were killed in the Valley and on the LoC, while 72 terrorists were killed during the corresponding time last year. This year, till June end, over 260 ceasefire violations were reported, while last year it was just 14.
