We will retaliate firmly to Pak provocations: Army Commander
17 July 2015 5:35 AM IST
"We have seen over last two weeks or so that the number of incidents have increased," said Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda said.
"The response has to be firm," the General Officer Commanding in Chief (GoC-in-C) of Northern Command said while commenting on the Pakistani firing and ceasefire violations along the International Border and LoC.
Asked about instructions to the troops, he said: "They will carry out firm response and retaliate effectively as they feel fit where they deemed fit. Nobody has to look over the shoulder to higher headquarter that this is what I need to do."
On the issue of the ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Hooda said "the scene was largely peaceful (environment) along the borders in 2014 and 2013. But we have seen over last two weeks or so, the number of incidents has increased." He said the incidents have taken place in Nougam sector where two BSF men lost their lives in two incidents.
"Now, we are seeing that it has again started since yesterday. There have been nine incidents of ceasefire violations from across the border during July so far,” he said.
One Poli Devi was killed and six others, including two BSF jawans, were injured in Wednesday firing and mortar-shelling in Jammu by Pakistan Rangers.
The Pakistan side resorted to ceasefire violations at several places along the International Border and the LoC across the Jammu region, in which on Thursday four persons were injured in the RS Pura sector of Jammu district.
Pakistani troops on Thursday pounded a number of places along the International Border and Line of
Control (LoC) in Jammu region with heavy firing and mortars. The Army early this morning also foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Poonch district by a group of militants trying to enter the Indian side, the defence spokesman said.
BSF officials said Pak Rangers have increased the arch of firing and shelling from Kanachak-Akhnoor sector to RS Pura sector now.
Pakistan committed to decisions agreed at Ufa
Amid differing voices emanating from Pakistan over resuming talks with India, Pakistan on Thursday said it is committed to the decisions taken in Ufa to lower tension even as it asserted that Kashmir is a "disputed territory" and no unilateral action can change its status. "Pakistan is committed to the decisions agreed at Ufa between the PMs," Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said, while addressing a weekly briefing in Islamabad. Khalilullah said it was decided at a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Ufa the relevant officials will meet to discuss the issue.
The two leaders agreed that the existing mechanism of regular meetings between DG Rangers, DG BSFs and DG MOs should be held to ensure full compliance with the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding. Khalilullah comments came amid a blame game between the two countries over shooting down of an alleged spy drone and ceasefire violation at the Line of Control (LoC). While India lodged protest with Pakistan both in New Delhi and in Islamabad, the Pakistan Foreign Office summoned Indian High Commissioner and lodged strong protest over "air space violation" by an alleged Indian "spy" drone near the LoC and "ceasefire violation".
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