Army issues stern warning to Pak, asks it to take bodies of militants

Issue set to figure at DGMO level talks
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 22: Army today conveyed a stern warning to Pakistan to restrain terrorists operating from its soil even as it asked Pakistan army to take bodies of two of its militants killed yesterday in an encounter with the troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district.
“The Army has sent out a strong warning to Pakistan to desist from aiding and abetting infiltration attempts on the LoC or be ready to face consequences,’’ official sources told the Excelsior.
Army believed that yesterday’s infiltration attempt on the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district in which three Army soldiers were martyred and two intruders were eliminated was backed by the Pakistani troops, who also helped a couple of militants to retreat to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) after the Indian troops opened firing and engaged the militants in the gunbattle.
“The infiltration attempt was foiled as two militants were gunned down and two others were pushed back,’’ sources said, adding that the Army was likely to take up infiltration attempt by the militants at regular hotline contact of Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs).
They said in the last DGMO level contact, Pakistan army had agreed to cease tension on the LoC and committed itself to ceasefire agreement. Despite that, they added, Pakistan army not only backed the infiltration attempt by the militants but was also indulging in ceasefire violations on the LoC quite often.
Sources said the Pakistan army has been informed through established communication channels to take the bodies of its nationals, who were killed in the encounter at Sunderbani yesterday.
“Slain militants were confirmed as Pakistani nationals with the help of their belongings. On the basis of this, the Pakistani troops were asked to take their bodies,’’ sources said, adding that there was no response from Pakistan so far. Authorities will wait for a day or so before performing burial of the militants.
Earlier also, India had asked Pakistan to take bodies of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) fidayeens killed in terror attack at Sunjwan military station on February 10. Pakistan had refused notwithstanding the fact that India had given identity of the militants and their other particulars.
Sources said since the Director General of Military operations (DGMOs) level talks on May 29 this year, which were held at the behest of Pakistan, Indian Army has been maintaining utmost restraint to uphold the ceasefire along the LoC despite regular provocative actions from across the border including in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
However, Pakistan army has been vigorously attempting to send terrorists from across the LoC which was evident from the fact that seven infiltration bids have been foiled by the Army since May 30, in which 23 terrorists have been killed in J&K, sources said, adding the troops were expecting surge in intrusion bids in the next few days as Pakistan army wants to push as many militants as possible in Jammu and Kashmir before the onset of winter and snowfall, which will close mountains and passes reducing charges of infiltration.
Sources said there were reports about large number of terrorists in the launch pads desperate to infiltrate before the onset of winter.
The Army troops are fully alert and maintaining round-the-clock vigil to scuttle any attempt of infiltration by the terrorists, they added.
Three soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) – Havaldar Kaushal Kumar of Nowshera (Rajouri), Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh of Doda and rifleman Rajat Kumar Basan of Pallanwalla (Jammu) – were killed and Rifleman Rakesh Kumar of Samba was injured when a group of Pakistani armed intruders crossed the LoC and fired on an Army patrol in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district yesterday afternoon.
Sources said the Army was ready to deal with any challenge along the LoC which has been witnessing frequent incidents of cross border firing since January.
The Indian Army has been adopting a “tough” approach in dealing with ceasefire violations and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir in the last one year.
During the ensuing fire-fight, two intruders, wearing combat uniform and believed to be members of Pakistani Border Action Team, were eliminated. Others managed to retreat to PoK.

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