Well prepared to thwart designs: Army
Sanjeev Pargal
SRINAGAR, Feb 19: India today charged that Pakistan continued to indulge in nefarious designs of supporting and abetting infiltration by the militants along the Line of Control (LoC) and has failed to respect ceasefire agreement and commitment on not allowing its soil or territory to be used for terrorism against India.
In a hard-hitting statement after thwarting Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) plot last night to target Indian troops in Khari Karmara area of Poonch sector, the Indian Army said it was clear that Pakistan had never been interested to bring about peace and tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir as they were responsible for vitiating atmosphere both along LoC and hinterland.
“The statement by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at Munich conference in Germany that there were no terrorist safe havens in Pakistan, has proved to be hollow. Pakistan has been supporting terrorism in a systematic manner with complete support of their army,” an official statement released to the media here this evening by the Defence spokesman, said.
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The statement was in reaction to yesterday’s BAT attack by three militants at Khari Karmara on the LoC in Poonch district, which was successfully thwarted by the Indian troops by eliminating one of the BAT members-who happened to be a Pakistani terrorist-and recovery of huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives from their possession. Two BAT members fled back to Pakistan following effective retaliatory firing brought down by the Indian troops.
The Defence spokesman said Pakistan’s continued support to infiltration from across the LoC was contrary to their stated position of making ‘Water tight arrangements along LoC to check terrorist movement’. Pakistan’s statement has been amply quashed by this (the BAT action) attempt on the LoC.
It may be mentioned here that Pakistan army had resorted to ceasefire violations on the LoC in Khari Karmara by resorting to mortar shelling and firing with a view to give cover to the BAT members to cause action on the Indian side. However, alert troops had thwarted the attempt of the BAT, backed by the Pakistani troops.
The Army statement said: “Pakistan has repeatedly failed to respect and fulfill its ceasefire agreement of 2003 and January 2004 commitment that it wouldn’t allow its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India.
“It is clear that Pakistan had never been interested to bring about peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir. Rather, they have been vitiating the atmosphere along both Line of Control and hinterland”.
The spokesman said the ‘White Knight Corps’ (16 Corps headquartered at Nagrota under whose jurisdiction the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch fall) was keeping strict and constant vigil across the LoC and all security forces are prepared to thwart any kind of nefarious designs by the Pakistan sponsored terrorists.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Commander, Krishna Ghati Brigade, Brigadier VS Shekhon said the modus operandi adopted by Pakistan army and their sponsored and supported terrorists in last night’s infiltration attempt was similar to the previous attempts made at Keri, Gambhir and Sunjawan.
“Pakistan regular army and SSG provided fire cover and abetted operations by “non-state actors”, who were being utilized as dispensable cannon fodders. The heavy recover of weapons like disposable rocket launchers, rocket propelled grenades and incendiary ammunition clearly indicated implicit support of the Pakistan army to target and cause casualties while maintaining a degree of deniability. It is not understood how that Pakistani “non state actors” are regularly sacrificed to fulfill the agenda of Pakistan army,” Brig Shekhon said.
Though Pakistan had refused to accept bodies of three fidayeens, who were killed in Sunjuwan Military Station attack, recently despite being offered with evidence of their nationality, Army has decided that it will offer Pakistan to claim the body of intruder killed yesterday, Brig Shekhon said.
Giving details of yesterday’s encounter, the Brigade Commander said the alert troops noticed some movement and immediately engaged the group with effective firing. There was immediate retaliation from the armed intruders. The supporting and covering fire from Pakistan army posts with a view to cover the move and help in extrication of the armed intruders continued unabated, he added.
In the ensuing firefight, he said, one armed intruder was killed and at least two others sustained grievous injuries and were seen rushing back toward the Pakistani posts.
Recoveries made from the site of encounter included three live RPG grenades, four disposable rocket launchers, two I Com radio sets, one AL magazine, two Molotiv cocktails, four UBGL grenades, seven hand grenades, Pika belt fire, one mobile phone, medical satchel and Pakistani national flag.
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