India has the right to react appropriately in case of any violation of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan — this was the response of Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lt General AK Bhatt to his Pakistani counterpart's claim of Pakistani soldiers and a civilian being killed in firing from the Indian Army.
Amid frequent skirmishes and cross-border firing between Indian and Pakistani troops, the DGMO of the Pakistani Army requested for an unscheduled talk on Sunday evening. On Monday, both the DGMOs discussed the situation.
With ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts by terrorists backed by Pakistan increasing regularly, the Indian Army has been inflicting damage across the Line of Control in retaliation, sources said.
This year, till June, over 260 ceasefire violations have already been recorded, going past last year's total of 228. The security forces have also intensified counter-terror operations, killing 107 terrorists this year.
"The DGMO made it implicit that the Indian Army reserved the right to retaliate appropriately to any incident of violation of ceasefire, but is sincere in its effort to maintain peace and tranquility along the LoC, provided there was reciprocity," said an Indian Army statement.
During the talks, the Pakistani DGMO raised the issues of Pakistani Army troops being targeted, leading to the deaths of four Pakistani soldiers and one civilian in Athmuqam sector of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, opposite the Indian Keren sector in Kupwara District.
"The Indian DGMO, in response, highlighted that all ceasefire violations were initiated by the Pakistani Army, and the Indian Army only responded appropriately to them," the Indian Army said.
Lt Gen Bhatt also responded strongly by stating that Indian troops have also fired upon armed intruders when attempting to infiltrate from close proximity of Pak posts along the Line of Control.
In an earlier communication Lt Gen Bhatt cited "specific intelligence" based on technical surveillance and human intelligence that establishes the mobilisation across the LoC and identified Pakistani Army posts aiding infiltration of terrorists.
Once againthe DGMO reiterated that the trend of infiltration along the LC continued with active support of Pakistani forward posts impacting peace along the Line of Control.
There have been continued attempts of sniping and targeting Indian troops by border actions supported by Pakistani Army troops, the Indian DGMO conveyed.
The Indian army's surgical strikes last year had pushed back terrorists from the launchpads that are metres away from the LoC and international border. However, in the last few months there has been considerable terror mobilisation, intelligence inputs indicate.
Analysis
The fact that the DGMO did not mince any words when responding to his Pakistani counterpart should serve as a warning to that country.
But it’s unlikely that Pak will pay any heed, given its constant provocations.
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