Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 9: At least two militants and an equal number of Pakistan Army jawans were killed as troops from this side retaliated to thwart infiltration attempt by the militants, backed by heavy firing from Pakistani soldiers, in entire Krishna Ghati sector on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district today.
This was almost for the fifth day that Pakistan Army continued heavy firing on about a dozen forward Indian posts in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district. Troops retaliated to ensure that a group of seven to eight militants, which was making desperate attempt to infiltrate into this side for past five days, didn’t manage to sneak-in.
Official sources confirmed to the Excelsior that at least two militants and two Pakistan Army jawans were killed across Nangi Tekri post of Krishna Ghati sector when the troops retaliated to silence guns of the enemy troops and thwart intrusion bid by the militants. Some persons across the LoC were injured.
In the afternoon today, civilians putting up in forward areas of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) opposite Krishna Ghati sector held a massive demonstration against their own (Pakistan) Army to protest firing by them on Indian side provoking retaliation by them.
The civilians on PoK side were living close to the LoC and they had to face problems in retaliatory firing by the Indian Army to neutralize the militants. They blamed Pakistan Army for opening firing on Indian side with a view to push militants, reports reaching this side said.
Sources said Pakistan Army first opened from 7.15 am to 8.15 am and then again from 5.30 pm. In the evening firing, Pakistan side used heavy mortars and rockets targeting over a dozen posts of the Army in forward areas. The firing continued till the reports last came in but it was intermittent. Indian side retaliated.
Forward posts like Chajja Man, Bum, Mortar, Kranti, Kranti-1, Kranti-2, Kirpan, Gorha and Nangi Tekri posts in Krishna Ghati sector were targeted by the troops from across the LoC both in the morning and the evening, sources said, adding that a group of six to eight militants was making determined attempts to sneak into this side under the cover of heavy firing from Pakistan side.
The group had been taking different routes from the past four to five days to enter into the Indian side but effective retaliatory firing by the Army has not allowed them to infiltrate.
Sources confirmed that two militants, who were part of the group, have been killed in the firing along with two Pakistan Army jawans. The fleeing militants have taken away bodies of their associates, who were said to be the activists of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Pakistani cadre of the outfit.
Besides Krishna Ghati sector, Pakistan Army also opened firing and mortar shelling at Roshni Post and Tata Pani in Mendhar and Panjni Nullah in Balakote sector. Heavy firing was also reported from Jhallas Nullah.
This was for fifth day today that Krishna Ghati has been rattled with heavy firing from Pakistan Army. Excepting Friday, there had been continuous firing in the night in almost entire area of Krishna Ghati sector for fifth day today despite protests lodged by the Army with Pakistan on the hotline over their unprovoked acts.
Sources said the group of six to eight militants, mostly comprising the Pakistani nationals, was taking different routes including Nullahs and some uncovered areas to sneak into this side under the cover of heavy firing by Pakistan Army and mortar shelling.
Effective surveillance maintained by the troops has not allowed the militants to succeed in their designs, sources said, adding that troops have sounded alert all along the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri as they were anticipating more infiltration attempts in the months of December and January as the ultras were trying to take advantage of foggy weather conditions backed by Pakistan firing.
Troops on this side haven’t suffered any casualties or damage in the firing from Pakistan side. However, two Army jawans were injured during past few days due to mine explosions on the LoC while conducting searches.
As reported, a number of militants have been camping across the LoC and International Border, waiting for an opportunity to infiltrate into this side. Army and BSF have stepped up vigil to ensure that the ultras didn’t manage to intrude into this side.
Meanwhile, the BSF and Rangers held a flag meeting of Company Commander level at Ballard in Ramgarh sector of Samba district today after three consecutive days of firing by the Rangers at Arnia, Hiranagar and Ramgarh sector on the International Border.
Manoj Kumar Choubey, Company Commander of BSF’s 59 battalion represented BSF while Khalil Ahmad Chowdhary of 24 Panchnar attended the meeting from the Rangers’ side.
The Rangers, as usual, blamed the BSF for firing. Both sides decided to hold high level flag meeting to resolve the issue.
The Rangers had fired at the BSF, which was installing high mast lights in some forward areas on the IB to thwart any infiltration attempt by the militants. The Rangers were firing to stop the work as they won’t be able to help militants in infiltration due to installation of the lights, sources said.
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