WASIM IQBAL

ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani soldiers embraced Shahadat in an exchange of fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Pakistan’s military says that Indian troops killed two of its soldiers on the Pakistani side in an “unprovoked” attack. It also rejected India’s claim that its forces carried out surgical strikes across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

Director General ISPR, Lt General Asim Saleem Bajwa stated, “There has been no surgical strike by India, instead there had been cross border fire initiated and conducted by India which is existential phenomenon. As per rules of engagement same was strongly and befittingly responded by Pakistani troops”.

Pakistani troops befittingly responded to Indian unprovoked firing on LoC in Bhimber, Hotspring, Kel, and Lipa Sectors. Exchange of fire which started after midnight continued till morning. Two Pakistan Army soldiers embraced ‘Shahadat’ as Indian troops fired across the LoC in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 

According to ISPR, the notion of surgical strike linked to alleged terrorists bases is an illusion being deliberately generated by India to create false effects. This quest by Indian establishment is to create media hype by rebranding cross border fire as surgical strike, which is fabrication of the truth. Pakistan has made it clear that if there is a surgical strike on Pakistani soil, same will be strongly responded.

Talking to media, Army Spokesman asked how was it possible that the target of a ‘surgical strike’ had no idea it took place. This was simply an episode of cross LoC fire that India had been doing. Lt General Bajwa said India was trying to tamper with facts after Pakistani forces befittingly responded to them in the border fire.

He said, “India can make such claims to satisfy its own public, but there is no substance in these reports”, adding that India violated the LoC ceasefire and after Pak Army’s response, they diverted attention with baseless claims. He said Pakistan had given its clear response in the United Nations on Indian brutality in the Occupied Kashmir.

National Security Advisor General Nasir Janjua also submitted a comprehensive report on the LoC situation to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The Prime Minister was also briefed regularly on the situation on the LoC by the security institutions.

PM Nawaz Sharif has shown satisfaction on the level of preparedness of Pakistani armed forces to match any provocation by Indian security forces.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Thursday strongly refuted India’s claim that New Delhi conducted surgical strikes along the porous Line of Control (LoC) against Pakistan and termed it ‘baseless’ and ‘fake’.

The PAF in its statement said that Pakistan Air Force was always on guard to respond to any external aggression in a strong and befitting manner.

Pakistan Navy, remaining cognizant of the prevailing situation, is keeping a vigilant watch at country’s maritime frontiers and is fully ready to give a befitting response in case of any aggression.