Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhatt today categorically told his Pakistani counterpart that the Army would give “appropriate and adequate’’ response to any attempt by Pakistani troops to “aid and abet’’ infiltration attempts on the Line of Control (LoC).
The DGMOs of India and Pakistan today spoke on hotline to discuss current situation along the LoC while BSF and Rangers also held Commandant-Wing Commander level flag meeting at the International Border (IB) in Suchetgarh sector to discuss host of issues including yesterday’s ceasefire violation by the Rangers in Arnia sector and upcoming Baba Chamliyal Ji mela in Ramgarh sector of Samba district on June 22.
Sources told the Excelsior that the DGMO level hotline contact between India and Pakistan was held at 10.30 am on a request received from Pakistan DGMO Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza. Both the DGMOs, who hold hotline contacts to discuss tensions and other issues between the two hostile neighbours, took up current situation along the Line of Control (LoC), where the two Armies had recently exchanged heavy mortar shelling and firing in Nowshera, Poonch, Krishna Ghati and Manjakote sectors in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, leading to heavy damages and casualties of Pakistan, which prompted their DGMO to seek urgent hotline contact with his Indian counterpart.
Sources said the Indian DGMO clearly told his Pakistani counterpart that any attempt by troops from across the LoC to aid and abet infiltration of militants into the Indian territory and cause trans-LoC firing, will be replied with very effectively.
“If Pakistan army continues to abet infiltrations (along the LoC) and cause trans-LoC firing, Indian Army will take appropriate retaliatory actions,’’ an official statement issued by the India Army after the hotline contact between the two DGMOs said.
At the same time, the official statement said, the Indian Army DGMO conveyed his commitment of ensuring peace and tranquility, which is contingent on Pak army’s intentions and actions.
In their telephonic conversation, the two Army Commanders discussed the situation along the Line of Control which has witnessed increasing incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the last couple of months.
It said Lt Gen Bhatt highlighted cases of escalations of tension by the Pakistan army during the conversation.
“On the issue raised by DGMO Pak army Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza regarding civilian killings, Lt Gen Bhat conveyed that the Indian Army is a professional Army and will not harm civilians in any manner,” the release said.
The DGMO level telephonic contacts came after Indian Army took major counter-infiltration measures by targeting Pakistan army’s posts, bunkers and launch pads across Nowshera and Krishna Ghati sectors, which were not only targeting civilian population by shelling but also giving shelter to the militants to facilitate their infiltration attempts.
Five Pakistani troops were killed last week in one of the major retaliatory attack by the Indian Army on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts following unprovoked shelling from across the LoC.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army, in a statement on the conversation between the two DGMOs, stated that the Pakistan DGMO urged India to provide “actionable evidence regarding alleged infiltration and also to look inwards for correct identification of the issue.”
The DGMO Pakistan also expressed the resolve to maintain peace on the LoC and the International Border.
Meanwhile, BSF and Rangers today also held Commandant-Wing Commander level flag meeting along the International Border in Suchetgarh sector of Jammu district to discuss host of issues including border firing, celebration of Chamliyal Mela and border management.
The BSF side was led by Happy Verma, Officiating Command/Second in Command while Pakistan team was headed by Lt Col Mohammad Irfan.
An official handout issued by the BSF after the flag meeting said that both the sides exchanged pleasantries and conveyed good wishes to each other on the holy month of Ramadan.
“During the meeting, the Commanders of both the border guarding forces, discussed various issues including recent unprovoked firing of two rounds by Pakistani Rangers in Arnia sector, routine issues related to border management and celebration of forthcoming Baba Chamliyal Ji Mela on June 22,’’ the release said, adding the flag meeting decided that further details will be shared by both sides in the next few days.
The BSF and Rangers decided to hold instant communication between Field Commanders, whenever required, to resolve the issues between them.
The release said the meeting was held in cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere and both sides agreed for expeditious implementation of decisions taken in the previous meeting and committed themselves to maintain peace and tranquility on the International Border.
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