Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 8: Indian Army has put a strategy in place to counter Pakistan’s offensive opposite Balakote sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, where they had geographical advantage, which was observed during last month’s heavy firing and shelling.
Official sources told the Excelsior that during last month’s firing by the Pakistan Army it was observed that Pakistani troops had been at the advantageous position opposite Balakote sector from where they had been targeting forward Indian posts and civilian areas.
Balakote has been divided by the LoC. Pakistan’s Balakote has over a dozen posts of the Army, which were manned by 651 Mujahideen Regiment.
“Pakistan exploited its geographical advantage to target our forward Army posts and civilian areas during last month’s hostilities between the two sides, which witnessed increased tensions on the LoC. Though the firing for the past few days has reduced considerably, it took place two or three times in the past one week in Balakote and Mendhar sectors. However, intensity of the firing was very low,’’ sources said.
The Indian Army had similar advantage in Balnoi sector of Poonch but it didn’t exploit it to target civilian population of Pakistan.
“Pakistan Army not only used the advantage to target the Indian troops in Balakote but they exploited it to target the civilian areas,’’ sources said. It may be mentioned here that nine civilians were injured in Pakistan firing and shelling after the troops from across the LoC had fired mortar shells and used heavy fire arms to target civil areas.
Contrary to this, the Indian troops despite being in similar advantage at Balnoi sector of Poonch didn’t target civilian areas of Pakistan.
“The civilian areas of Pakistan were clearly visible from Balnoi and would have been targeted very easily. However, Indian troops refrained from targeting the civil areas and retaliated to Pakistan firing only after they were fired upon from across the LoC,’’ sources said.
They added that Pakistan Army has also been using its geographical advantage to try and push the militants inside the Indian territory. However, alert Army troops have thwarted their all designs.
Sources said the Indian Army has put a strategy in place to counter Pakistan’s attempt to exploit its advantage in Balakote sector during the firing and infiltration attempts.
“Our strategy is in place. We won’t allow Pakistan Army to target civil areas frequently during the firing. Adequate measures have been taken to protect the civilians. Steps have also been taken to ensure zero infiltration on the LoC,’’ sources added.
Hostilities between India and Pakistan had escalated last month after the killing of five Indian Army soldiers in Sarla battalion area at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district. Over 50 ceasefire violations have been reported from Pakistan side during the past about one month on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts and International Border (IB) in Jammu sector.
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