NEW DELHI: Indian army is gearing up for spiraling violence at the India-Pakistan border, especially after beheading of its soldier in Machchal sector on Tuesday, according to a senior army official.
Amidst tension, the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations called up his Indian counterpart and informed about civilian casualty by Indian army firing in the PoK. Besides, Indian also summoned Pakistan deputy high commission and strongly protest ceasefire violations and resultant deaths of Indian soldiers and barbaric mutilation of their bodies.
In an ‘unscheduled’ Hot Line interaction requested for by Pakistan DGMO Major General Sahid Shamshad Mirza to his Indian Counterpart Lt. General Ranbir Singh at on around 6:30pm that lasted for nearly 15 minutes. Lt Gen Singh categorically informed his counterpart that “if any cease fire violations were initiated by Pakistan troops or any infiltration attempts were made by terrorists from Pak Occupied Kashmir or territory under its control, it would invite an appropriate response by Indian Army.’
According to statement issued by the Army late evening, “During the conversation Lt Gen Ranbir Singh expressed grief at Pak civilian casualties but emphatically stated that retaliatory firing by Indian troops has only been carried out targeting locations from where Pakistan has initiated cease fire violations on Indian Posts,” by adding that Indian side his concerns to Pak DGMO on casualties caused to Indian civilians and soldiers due to unprovoked Pak firing.’ Pakistan Army on Wednesday said that seven persons, including three of its soldiers, were killed in an exchange of fire with Indian troops on the LoC.
While raising the issue of infiltration attempts by terrorists from Pakistan side and into J&K and the un-ethical act of mutilation of the body of Indian soldiers by terrorists infiltrating from Pakistan, Pak DGMO was exhorted to exercise strict control on their troops to refrain from any nefarious activities,” statement further said.
However, the Army officials believe that spell of firing will even further escalate as local commanders were given free hand to respond.
“There seems to be no end of tension on the border in near future till political or diplomatic intervention by both sides,” said a senior official.
With over 380 ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces till date at the line of control and international border, Pakistani has been aggressive on the border, especially after the September 29 surgical strike by the Indian army on the terror launch pads situated in the PoK. Though both sides are having heavy casualty and total 18 Indian soldiers including four from BSF has been killed at the border since surgical strike along with over a dozen civilian died in shelling by the Pakistan side.
Army sources maintain that mutilating body of a soldier clearly indicate motives of the enemy to further escalate the situation.
“By their action, Pakistani army is in no mood to respect ceasefire agreement. And Indian Army is prepared to will give befitting reply to any misendeavour of Pakistan army,” an officer added.
Meanwhile, Pakistani army has changed its strategy. Till last week Pakistani rangers were targeting BSF posts in the International Border. During fire, several civilians were also came under fire of Pakistani artillery fire. Over a dozen civilians were killed in shelling by Pakistani rangers.
But , now, they are targeting Indian army posts at the Line of Control especially sectors like Rajauri, Naushera, Keran and Kel on the border.
Besides, ceasefire violations, infiltration is also on the rise this year.
According to officials figure, there are about 200 terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir with 105 of them successfully entered during this year, till September.
Meanwhile union home minister Rajnath Singh also reviewed the security situation at the border with National Scurity Advisor Ajit Doval.