Indian military enters Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, attacks "terror launch pads"

Xinhua News Agency

text

The Indian military Thursday claimed it had entered Pakistan on the other side of Line of Control (LoC) and carried out deadly "surgical strikes."

The attacks, according to India's Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, were carried out Wednesday night, based on specific intelligence that some infiltrators had positioned themselves at launch pads along the LoC, aiming to infiltrate inside Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Singh briefed media about the attacks in New Delhi.

The Indian army DGMO was accompanied by India's foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup during the media briefing.

Indian officials claim their side has not suffered any casualty or damage in the attacks. However, it has not given the details about casualties of infiltrators or Pakistan army in the attacks.

"We do not have plans for further continuation of the operations," Singh said. "However, the Indian armed forces are fully prepared for any contingency that may arise."

Singh said he has conveyed his concerns to his Pakistani counterpart and informed him about the "surgical strikes" that were carried out in their territory.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Thursday rejected Indian claims about "surgical strikes" inside Pakistan.

"There has been no surgical strike by India, instead there had been cross border fire initiated and conducted by India which is existential phenomenon. As per rules of engagement same was strongly and befittingly responded by Pakistani troops," a statement issued by Pakistani military's Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

However, ISPR said two Pakistani troopers were killed due to unprovoked firing early Thursday from Indian troops across LoC in Bhimber, hotspring, Kel, and Lipa sectors.

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated because of the ongoing civilian protests in Indian-controlled Kashmir and a deadly attack last week on an Indian army base in frontier Uri town, about 109 km northwest of Srinagar.

(APD)