India’s aggressive stance along the line of control (LoC) as part of a reworked approach towards counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir appears to have rattled the Pakistani army, sources in defence ministry said.

Not just the LoC, security forces have stepped up the offensive in Kashmir Valley as well, bringing back search operations after almost 15 years.

General Bhatt also highlighted “needless escalations” by the Pakistan army along the LoC, the de facto border between the two countries.

The Pakistani DGMO raised the issue of civilian killings. “DGMO Indian Army conveyed that the Indian Army is a professional army and will not harm civilians in any manner,” the statement said.

The army has carried out “punitive fire assaults” against Pakistani posts providing cover fire to militants trying to sneak into J&K.

What makes these fire assaults different is that the army on May 23 released a rare video of the military action, showing heavy artillery blasting temporary bunkers and shelters on a tree-covered mountain.

The army went public with its action a few days after a rogue Pakistani border team crossed the LoC, attacked a patrol and beheaded two Indian soldiers.

The Pakistan army on Sunday released a video purportedly showing damage it has caused to the Indian military posts across the LoC.

The two sides have exchanged heavy fire in recent weeks. Ceasefire violations along the LoC go up in the summer as snows melts and mountain passes open through which militants sneak into India. Pakistani troops give cover fire to infiltrators.

Will retaliate to any cross-LoC infiltration or firing, DGMO tells Pak

There have been many ceasefire violations by Pakistan in recent past. PTI file

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 5

India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhatt on Monday told his Pakistani counterpart that India would take ‘appropriate retaliatory action’ to any Pak-Army-abetted infiltration of terrorists and firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) .

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Referring to the situation along the 749 km-long LoC that divides the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Gen Bhatt conveyed his commitment to ensuring peace and tranquillity along the LoC saying it was contingent on the Pak Army’s intentions and actions.“If Pak Army continues to abet infiltration and cause trans-LoC firings, Indian Army will take appropriate retaliatory action,” an Indian Army statement said while quoting the DGMO.
The DGMOs spoke to each other over the phone hotline on between New Delhi and Rawalpindi on Monday morning. The talk was not the weekly talk the two sides have’ the Pak DGMO had requested for the DGMO-level talk.
The Indian side highlighted the ‘needless escalations’ by the Pak Army along the LoC.
The Pak DGMO raised the matter of civilians being hit on his side, to which the Indian DGMO said, “The Indian Army will not harm civilians in any manner.”