File photo

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune news service

New Delhi, October 30

In a clear change of tactics, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhatt today told his Pakistani counterpart Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza that Pakistani civilians living close to the boundary were aiding and helping terrorists infiltrate into India. They are even acting as guides.The two DGMOs spoke over the hotline around 2 pm. The unscheduled talk was requested by Pakistan.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The Indian DGMO told his counterpart that Pakistan army has employed civilians at forward posts and accorded permission for their permanent location in the vicinity of its posts. These civilians have repeatedly been used for gaining information on Indian locations and providing guides to terrorists while crossing the Line of Control (LoC).The DGMO apportioned blame for collateral damage to civilians on the Pakistan side,  saying the “support provided to terrorists while crossing the LoC by Pakistan army is the prime reason”.