New Delhi: The Indian Army on Monday once again warned its Pakistani counterpart against abetting terrorism in Kashmir and resorting to unprovoked firing from across the Line of Control (LoC).
In an unscheduled talk over the Islamabad-New Delhi hotline, Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhatt warned his counterpart Pakistan DGMO Maj. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza that the Indian Army would continue responding in a fitting manner, even as Pakistan alleged that India had resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC. “Retaliatory firing by Indian troops has only been carried out in response to unabated support given by Pak Army to armed terrorists who infiltrate across the border and target Indian Army posts with heavy caliber weapons. It is in response to such actions that Indian Army troops retaliate,” Bhatt informed Mirza, according to a statement issued by the Indian Army.
According to the home ministry, there were 450 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 2016, compared to 600 by 30 September this year.
While Bhatt clarified that the Indian Army had always maintained impeccable standards of professionalism, without targeting civilians, “the Pakistan Army has employed civilians at the forward posts and accorded permission for permanent locations of civilians in the vicinity of Pakistan Army posts.”
These civilians, Bhatt added, have repeatedly been used for gaining information about the Indian Army’s locations and for providing guides to terrorists while crossing the LoC. The Indian Army, said Bhatt, also warned the Pakistan DGMO against providing tacit support to terrorists, adding that the Indian Army would continue resorting to retaliatory and punitive measures against any provocation by Pakistan.
“The Indian Army will continue efforts to ensure peace and tranquility on the borders. However, support provided to terrorists while crossing the LC by the Pakistan army is the prime reason for any collateral damage and is attributed to the Pakistan army aiding infiltration across the LC,” the Indian Army added.
Defence experts said the unscheduled conversation was not unprecedented.
DGMO-level talks were started after a 2003 ceasefire agreement, allowing the hotline between the two sides to be activated any time, primarily to maintain peace along the LoC.
“There is nothing unusual about DGMO-level talks. However, given the current climate, it has become about accusations. India will bring up the issue of Pakistan firing along the LC and Pakistan will deny it. It is just a confidence building measure,” said H.S. Panag, former Indian Army officer and defence expert.
“The proxy war had never stopped. Pakistan has always denied any wrongdoing. These talks have no link with that. But this keeps a channel open and it has always been helpful,” Panag added.