Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 16: As Pakistan once again targeted civilian population along the Line of Control (LoC) in unabated ceasefire violations in Balakote, Balnoi, Krishna Ghati and other sectors of Poonch district, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Nagrota based 16 Corps Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar today described as “completely unethical” on part of Pakistan army to target civilian areas and maintained that India was not resorting to such practices.
The Army Commander didn’t rule out the possibility of Pakistan Army trying to facilitate infiltration attempts along the LoC under the cover of shelling and firing but maintained that the Counter-Infiltration Grid of the Indian Army was well placed to thwart all designs of the Pakistani troops and the militants to infiltrate into the Indian territory.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function at 16 Corps Headquarters at Nagrota, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said Pakistan Army continued firing and shelling targeting the civilian areas and forward posts along the LoC for past several days in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. “Our troops have been giving befitting reply to Pakistan,” he added.
Describing as “unethical” the Pakistan army targeting civilian population in forward areas of the LoC especially in Balakote, Sabzian, Gambhir in Poonch and Rajouri districts, he strongly regretted the Pakistan army’s attempt to directly kill or injure civilians by targeting their habitations in the forward areas. He maintained that the Indian Army never hits the Pakistani civilians “directly or intentionally”.
“Even the Indian troops didn’t violate the ceasefire agreement. We maintain ceasefire but have to retaliate when Pakistan army didn’t relent and continue firing. Pakistan army not only targets our forward posts on the LoC but directly fires at the civilian population. We are forced to retaliate to Pakistan’s cross-border shelling,’” Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said.
“We are of the opinion here specially in our country that it (targeting civilian areas) is unethical. It does not behove of the army (Pakistan), who are targeting the civilian areas that much I can say about this,” he said.
“Our Army is ethical–our Army is professional. We do not believe in having abrogating any agreements (ceasefire maintaining agreement of November 2003) which we have. But if the adversary indulged in it (firing and shelling), we are forced to retaliate in a proper manner,” the GOC 16 Corps, Incharge of twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch among other areas of Jammu, said.
Asked about possible reasons behind the repeated firing by Pakistan, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said “as far as firing is concerned, there does not seem to be any reason. We cannot say as to why it’s going on.”
“It is unprovoked firing by our adversaries, where they are doing it inspite of various talks held recently. It actually does not sound very logical. Therefore this thing is continuing for quite some time and we also give appropriate retaliation,” he added.
In response to a question whether infiltration by the militants could be one of the reasons for repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan army, the Army Commander said “it is the one of the modus operandi which I have always maintained”.
“But it surprises me, when we look towards last 2-3 years, we are so strong on the anti-infiltration obstacle system that there has been no infiltration,” he said.
“So therefore to give cover fire to those people (militants), who will in any case not be successful in infiltration bids. It is illogical to me,” the Commander said.
It may be mentioned here that Army has foiled all infiltration attempts backed by Pakistan army or otherwise on the LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. The latest infiltration attempt was foiled by the troops recently in Balakote sector of Poonch under the cover of Pakistan shelling and firing. The militants had retreated after finding the Indian troops ever alert on the LoC.
Asked about reports of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) making footholds in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said that it cannot be linked it with the situation here and that they are not very authentic. Therefore, it will be “incorrect and inappropriate” to say anything for certain in this regard.
On Special Police Officers re-joining terror outfits in Jammu and Kashmir, the GOC said there has been only one instance in which two SPOs have gone from Doda area.
“In the Valley of course, there is a different dynamic altogether. Why they (SPOs) have gone after surrendering… that is a matter of investigation. We will have to go into the details,” the Army Commander said.
He added that, “As far as I have investigated into their background, both of them are very poor people. So, I think the lure of the gun to get some monetary benefit may be a strong motive in this case.”
Few days back, two surrendered militants-turned SPOs had deserted their duties in Doda and joined the ranks of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit along with their service weapons including one AK and an INSAS rifle and their magazines each. Both of them remained untraced so far.
Replying to another question about possible air-space violations by Pakistan along the LoC, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said he was not aware of it.
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