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Army foils Pak infiltration bid in J&K, 4 killed

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An infiltration bid by a mixed group of Pakistani soldiers and terrorists, who tried to attack an Indian Army Post in the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu Kashmir’s Keran sector this week, was foiled by the security forces, said the Indian Army on Saturday.

The attack on the Indian Army post along the LoC -also referred to as Border Action Team (BAT) action in military terms – “was carried out at the Keran sector on the night of 31 July and 1 August,” the Army said. Keran Sector is opposite the lower Neelam valley and is a traditional infiltration route because of the terrain and weather.

“Our soldiers foiled the attempt inflicting heavy casualties on the infiltrating team,” the Indian Army said and added “four bodies of Pakistan SSG commandos (Special forces) or maybe some of the terrorists have been seen close” to the Indian army post.” Bodies of the infiltrators haven’t been recovered. “Attempts to recover the bodies are being continuously interfered by Pakistani troops” deployed across the LoC, the Indian Army said.

Separately in counter-terror operations in the hinterland, the security forces – Central Reserve Police Force, Indian Army, and J&K Police – have killed three suspected JeM terrorist in Kashmir’s Kulgam, Shopiyan, and Bandipora respectively in the last 36 hours.

Critically, the Army said “in the last 36 hours Pakistan has desperately tried to revive terrorism and push terrorists” into Kashmir.

Yesterday, the Jammu and Kashmir Government ordered Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to return post-haste. And, earlier in the day yesterday, the Army and J&K Police in a joint press conference claimed to have recovered a sophisticated sniper rifle and a Pak ordnance mark bearing anti-personnel mine from the route taken by devotees to the Amarnath shrine. In addition, Indian security agencies have picked up chatter to suggest terrorist especially of the Jaish-e -Mohammed (JeM) were being activated across the border to cross over to India.

In a related development, the Indian Army strongly denied using cluster bombs in cross border firing – an allegation made by Islamabad. In a sharp response, the Indian Army described the claims of Pakistan army as “lies deceit and deception.”

Cluster bombs eject explosive bomblets that are designed to kill personnel and destroy vehicles.

The Indian Army Spokesperson said, “the Pakistan army regularly attempts to push terrorists through infiltration and opens fire with a multitude of weapons to assist them (infiltrators).” It also said, “India during numerous Directorate of Military Operations (DGMO) level talks have maintained the right to respond. Such responses are only against military targets and infiltrating terrorists who are aided by the Pakistan army.”

Earlier, Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and the spokesman for Pakistan’s armed forces as well as Pakistan’s People’s Party leader Bilawal Bhutto slammed India for what they described as atrocities against Kashmiri civilians.

The Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations – the media wing of the Pakistan armed forces – said in a tweet, “Use of cluster bombs by Indian Army violating international conventions is condemnable. No weapon can suppress determination of Kashmiris to get their right of self-determination. Kashmir runs in the blood of every Pakistani. Indigenous freedom struggle of Kashmiris shall succeed.” Similarly, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi tweeted saying, “strongly condemn the blatant use of cluster ammunition by Indian Security Forces targeting innocent civilians along the Line of Control.” Both Pakistan Army and Qureshi posted pictures including those of children allegedly injured in the attack. But, neither of the pictures were dated making it almost impossible to ascertain their veracity.

India has accused Pakistan of fomenting terrorism in Kashmir, a charge that Islamabad denies, though it admits to extending moral, political and diplomatic support to what it describes as a freedom struggle in Kashmir.HT

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