Pakistan rejects Indian claim of 'surgical strikes'
At least two Pakistan Army soldiers were killed as Indian troops fired across the Line of Control in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday. The Pakistani military confirmed the deaths of soldiers and dismissed the Indian claim of "surgical strikes."
"There had been cross border fire initiated and conducted by India which is (an) existential phenomenon, said an ISPR statement released shortly after the Indian DGMO held a press conference making claims about surgical strikes."
INDIA STRIKES, PAKISTAN RESPONDS
The exchange of fire began at 2.30 am, ISPR said, and continued till 8 am.
"Pakistani troops befittingly responded to Indian unprovoked firing on the Line of Control (LoC) in Bhimber, Hotspring Kel and Lipa sectors," the statement said.
The latest incident of cross-border firing comes as tensions simmer between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir issue, days after India accused Pakistan of involvement in the Uri army base attack in India-held Kashmir — an allegation that Pakistan has rejected.
Despite a 2003 border ceasefire agreement signed by both countries, cross-border firing along the working boundary is intermittent with both parties frequently accusing the other of breaching it.
PAKISTAN MILITARY REJECTS INDIAN CLAIM
The Indian ministry of external affairs and ministry of defence addressed a joint press conference on Thursday after fire was exchanged on the LoC.
Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said during the address that surgical strikes were conducted by the Indian army on terror launch pads along the LoC. He also added that the strikes will not continue.
However, the Pakistan military swiftly dismissed the notion of a surgical strike.
"The notion of surgical strike linked to alleged terrorists bases is an illusion being deliberately generated by Indian to create false effects," the military statement said.
"This quest by Indian establishment to create media hype by rebranding cross border fire as surgical strike is fabrication of truth. Pakistan has made it clear that if there is a surgical strike on Pakistani soil, there will be strong response."
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident, according to Radio Pakistan. "Our intent for a peaceful neighbourhood should not be mistaken as our weakness," the PM said.
Copyright: Dawn/Asia News Network