Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Sunday, 20 October, said six to ten Pakistani soldiers were killed and three terrorist camps destroyed in retaliatory firing by the Indian Army in Tangdhar sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, according to ANI.
Meanwhile, Pakistan hit back at India, saying “there are no camps, let alone targeting them.”
“In the retaliatory action, we have caused severe damage to terrorists infrastructure. Terrorists camps opposite Tangdhar sector have been destroyed,” Rawat had said.
This came after two Indian Army personnel and a civilian were killed as Pakistani troops allegedly violated ceasefire in the same sector in Kupwara district, in an alleged bid to push a group of militants into J&K from the Pakistani side. Three civilians were also injured in the firing.
“Ever since Article 370 was abrogated from J&K, we have been getting repeated inputs of infiltration by terrorists from across the border to disturb peace and harmony in the state,” Rawat added.
Reacting to the development, Union Minister General (retd.) VK Singh said, “I would say that our army is always ready to take action when needed, so that what is being violated from the other side and the indirect war can be stopped.”
What Pakistan Claims
In a tweet, Pakistan claimed that India’s statement claiming destruction of three alleged camps was “false” as “there are no camps, let alone targeting them.”
Earlier it claimed that the “unprovoked” ceasefire violations by India was “effectively responded” to with nine Indian soldiers being killed. In a tweet, the spokesperson for Pakistan Armed Forces added that one Pakistani soldier and three of its civilians also died during the exchange.
Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia.
Mortar Shelling in Kathua Leaves One Civilian Injured
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a civilian was injured on Sunday as Pakistani Rangers shelled mortar along the International Border in the Kathua district of J&K, officials cited by PTI said.
The intermittent firing and shelling from across the border overnight was aimed at stalling some construction work in Hiranagar sector, they said.
Pakistani Rangers allegedly fired from small arms and shelled mortars in Manyari-Chorgali area around 7:45 pm on Saturday, drawing retaliation from BSF personnel.
A house was hit by a mortar shell and caught fire, with the house owner receiving minor burn injuries.
The intermittent exchange of fire between the two sides continued till 4:40 am on Sunday, the officials said.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI.)
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