Major Army offensive on LoC: Pak Army officer among 7 killed, 5 hurt

As tension escalates, cross-LoC bus again suspended

Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 15: Indian Army today undertook major offensive against Pakistan to silence their guns, which were targeting forward Indian posts on the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar sector of Poonch district, killing seven Pakistani soldiers including an officer and critically wounding five  others. Five posts and four bunkers of the Pakistani army were destroyed in massive retaliatory action of the Indian troops. Click here to watch video
As tensions escalated on the LoC, authorities immediately recalled cross-LoC peace bus, which had left Poonch for Rawlakote in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), leaving people from two parts of the divided State, stranded.
Sources told the Excelsior that Indian action against Pakistani troops, which came on the occasion of ‘Army Day’ was necessitated as the Pakistani posts continued to engage in heavy shelling in Mendhar sector targeting forward posts of the Indian Army and were also planning to strike at civilian areas, which was anticipated as the enemy was dumping large quantity of mortar shells on their side.
Also, according to sources, there was hectic activity on Pakistan side of the LoC and some militants could be seen moving across with a view to infiltrate into the Indian territory with the help of Pakistani troops.
“Indian troops undertook major action against the Pakistani troops this morning in which seven Pakistan army personnel including an officer were eliminated while five others seriously injured,’’ sources said, adding there were inputs that five posts and four bunkers of Pakistan were razed to ground in the hour long action.
Major damage was suffered by Pakistan in Jandrot area of Kotli sector, which was being manned by 801 Mujahid battalion of Pakistan army under 3 PoK Brigade.
Pakistan’s DG (SA & SAARC) Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh and lodged protest over killing and injuries of Pakistan army personnel.
Hectic activity was observed in Pakistani camp after the Indian action and nearly half a dozen ambulances and Army trucks and jeeps were seen shifting dead and injured jawans of Pakistani troops to the hospital. Some officers of PoK Brigade could be seen visiting forward posts to assess the damages.
Pakistani troops from their left-out posts fired at the Indian side using mortar shells and heavy weaponry between Deri Dabsi and Sabra Gali in Mendhar trying to hit forward posts of Indian army and some civilian areas but failed to cause any casualties or damage.
A day before, an Indian Army jawan was martyred in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district in ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
Six Army soldiers including a Major and a BSF jawan have been martyred during fresh ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army on LoC and International Border (IB) during past about 20 days while Pakistani troops have suffered huge casualties, at least two dozens, apart from massive infrastructural losses across both LoC and IB in retaliation by the Indian troops.
Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in some other areas also, prompting the Indian side to retaliate effectively, leading to exchanges.
As soon as tensions flared up, authorities in Poonch immediately recalled Poonch-Rawlakote cross-LoC bus, which had left Poonch for other side of the LoC with 19 PoK citizens on board.
Custodian, Cross-LoC Trade and Travel Tanvir Ahmad said the bus has been suspended for today.
“The bus was suspended and the passengers were asked to return to the houses of their relatives, where they had come from PoK as they won’t be able to return today in view of LoC tensions,’’ sources said, adding that the bus from Rawlakote, which had to carry 11 passengers from PoK to Poonch, too didn’t ply.
A total of 19 passengers have been stranded due to suspension of the cross-LoC bus service today and all of them were PoK citizens. There was no citizen from J&K on board Rawlakote-bound bus, which was recalled after leaving from Poonch. Similarly, all 11 persons, who had to reach Poonch from Rawlakote, were also PoK citizens.
“A decision on cross-LoC trade, which takes place between two parts of divided States from Tuesday to Friday every week, will be taken tomorrow morning,’’ sources said.
Cross-LoC trade and travel, which was launched between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir in 2008 and was conceived as major Confidence Building Measure, had remained suspended for nearly three months between July and September last year in view of escalated tensions and ceasefire violations on the LoC including Chakan-Da-Bagh from where the bus and trucks cross over to PoK for Rawlakote from Poonch.
Meanwhile, troops have been maintaining very high alert all along the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri anticipating infiltration attempts by the militants and ceasefire violations by Pakistan army as they were frustrated after suffering heavy casualties and infrastructure damage in the Indian retaliation.
The Border Security Force (BSF) was also maintaining high alert all along the International Border from Lakhanpur to Akhnoor.
There have been reports that a number of militants were camping on Pakistan side of LoC and IB waiting for an opportunity to sneak into this side. Reports said the militants could try to infiltrate under the cover of ceasefire violations by Pakistan army. However, the troops were fully prepared to thwart any such intrusion bids on the borders.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here