Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers patrol the fenced border with Pakistan in Suchetgarh, southwest of Jammu January 16, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Indian troops shot dead a Pakistani soldier who had strayed onto their side of the de facto border in the disputed Kashmir region, officials from both countries said Friday.
"We detected some suspicious movement yesterday near the LoC (Line of Control) inside our territory and the challengers from our side fired and in the ensuing firefight he was killed," Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia, a spokesman for the Indian army's northern command, told AFP.
An AK-47 rifle was found alongside the body of the soldier, the spokesman added.
A Pakistani security official said contact was being made with the Indian authorities for the return of the body of the soldier, identified only as Ikhlaq.
The soldier had been killed on Thursday night after he "inadvertently crossed the Line of Control in Khoi Ratta sector", Pakistan government said in a statement released on Friday.
"[This] goes against the understanding reached between Pakistan and India on speedy return of inadvertent line crossers and has the potential to further vitiate the atmosphere."
The government called upon the Indian government to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident and to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Tensions between India and Pakistan were heightened last month after a series of cross-border exchanges in the disputed Kashmir region. Two Pakistani soldiers were killed on January 6, before India claimed on January 8 that one of its soldiers was beheaded in an alleged attack by Pakistani troops.
Firing and small skirmishes are common along the 740km LoC despite a ceasefire that was agreed in 2003. The Indian army says eight of its soldiers were killed in 2012, in 75 incidents of ceasefire violations.
COMMENTS (93)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@ishtiaer hussain: Dear Hussain we kept your 90,000 soldiers after 1971 war for one year feeding Biryani in our jails without harming them.
May Allah grant my cousin shaheed raja ikhlaq highest place in jannah .
@Butt: Dear Butt, Either I am not getting my point across, or you are being deliberately obtuse. In a childish moment I wrote what I thought was a sardonic missive about the machinations of sub continent so called leaders. I do not intend to take sides or discuss small points with a petty nationalistic fervor, because any data I, or you, receive is what the leaders want us to receive, and any resemblance between facts and the truth is entirely coincidental. What you have to remember is that democracy is a myth, and that countries are controlled by a small wealthy minority. Nobody in government is listening to you or me. In regard to several hundred toilet systems, India has increased its 2013 military budget by 17.63 per cent or US$7 billion. That would install an awful lot of toilets. Unfortunately, all the sub-continent governments can do is create relatively unimportant spats such as those occurring on the LoC. They are a quick way of grabbing the peoples attention. After all jet fighters flying overhead are much more impressive than announcing, "we installed several hundred toilets this month", or "the Government expanded sewage systems in Bangalore", or "Lahore". The respective Governments would be lucky to get a two line mention in national newspapers. I do not know what the answer is, but if we could get the two leaders together and bang their heads against each other it may help.
@Blithe:
I am aghast to find out my comment was not approved. I can't believe your ran around the Internet looking smug!
This is from the link you posted, which you thought clinched the argument in your favour. Only if you had read it before you had given it to me.
Two options: 1) Bilateral AND 2) MUTUALLY AGREED parties. UN is not mutually agreed party isn't it. India says no.
There UN has no right. Ready to take back your words, like an honest man, or will ignore my comment?
You decide..
@Sexton Blake: Yes I agree that we cannot afford a few millions toilets and we are looking into it. Look at yourselves, begging at each corner for survival.
Promotion of Aman Ki Aashi with the ammunitions and weapons in practical form and reward of giving India the status of as the Most Favorite Nation.Now next turn is ours Indians.Wait for our turn and see what we shall do with your troops as the revenge?We didn't cry on the killing of our soldier who mistakenly crossed LoC like you cried falsely and untruly on the fabricated and embellished story of beheading your troops by Pakistani soldiers.....
May Allah grant my cousin shaheed Raja akhlaq highest place in jannah I'm gona miss him my all life .RAja zhaid London .xxx
Travel well... we will be sending more..
The whole thing looks like a plot to galvanize Indian public sentiment towards its right wing in the upcoming election. Indian army is also asserting political influence under its ultra right wing officers (Col Parohit and the likes). Pakistan has the decency to at least return Indian helicopter and a pilot (during Kargil war) to India unharmed. Seems like the extremists in India are taking over the national discourse. Pakistan seems to be getting out of it. We question our national narrative more and more thee days, including our security paradigms and practices. Indians buy their establishment's version hook, line and sinkers.
While focusing on the western side is the priority, we must not forget that the eastern neighbor is blocking our water and upping the tensions recently; this was revealed by Indian press, BTW, that a hawkish brigadier in Indian Army might have started the recent spat of hostility.
Dear GP65, Butt, If it was not for the tragic things that are happening on the LoC it would be amusing. The fact that grown adults in the Pakistan/Indian Governments and military cannot solve what is really a simple problem defies any kind of known logic. But then the US/NATO idiots have been on a similar tragic, childlike adventure in Afghanistan for 12 years. In regard to helicopters/personnel being on the wrong side of the border, military people have used every excuse in the book for many years and one would have to be very low functioning to believe them. I recall the Salala fiasco when 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed. The head of US CentCom made a pathetic excuse that NATO did not know where the border was. I have to point out that with GPS devices one can locate a helicopter's position within a metre or so. Now we know that India is a little backwards and cannot afford a few hundred million toilet systems, but a GPS device can be acquired for about $50.00, and I still do not believe that weather conditions caused the problem. After all if the weather was that bad why fly helicopters over sensitive areas?
@shahmir: "oh common a person can make mistake it seems like any indian soldier never cross loc to enter pakistan "
This could have been a mistake 20 years back. Now thee is a barbed wire fence. No one can mistakenly climb a barbed wire fence and get on the other side. No one can then mistakenly open fire. This was not a mistake.It was an attempt to fish in troubled waters.
As an Indian, I would have expected better of my army irrespective of what people have to say. We can respond with aggression and do eye for an eye or be better than that. That said no body knows the ground reality and the situation, the mistrust between India and Pakistan is so great that every discussion ends with his words against my words situation and very little to back what has been said by either sides.
How do we undo 65 years of hatred ?
the situation is very tense along the border ..we cannot exactly say what has happened..but it looks like indians very aggressive and were waiting for that chance...
but if he was only one single soldier ..what were the indian brains thinking..? couldn't they handle it through words(if the pakistani soldier was cool enough to explain his position) ..i see this is a mistake from indian side..but who knows whats the truth is..?!!!!
@Yoghurt lover: oh common mistakes can be done or u are trying to mention that indian soldiers dnt do any mistakes accidently.....BE REALISTIC,after all at the end of the day we are all humans atleast pakistan prove to be open hearted by conducting inquiries if any indian soldier accidently cross the loc and by releasing him if he is not guilty unlike india and ths is anothr example whch indian army used to do every now and then.
@Iceman: oh common a person can make mistake it seems like any indian soldier never cross loc to enter pakistan
@sabi:
"How could Pakistani soldier crossed barbed boundary by mistake?.Even if boundary is not fenced by barbed wires soldier is supposed to and trained to reckognised boundary line."
Very good questions. All the activity lately including the beheading of the Indian soldier on the LOC points to a change of policy by Pakistan. Apparently, the Pak establishment is going back to its old policy of proxy war in Kashmir. It is readying pushing more and more terrorists into the Indian side to revive the waning militancy. Pakistani establishment is doing this to divert attention from domestic issues of terrorism, economic collapse. Also, the Pak establishment is busy reviving its "startegic depth" policy in Afghanistan with the impending departure of the Americans. To this end, it would be a good idea to divert world attention to the eastern border so that Pak's renewed Afghanistan strategic depth games will draw less attention.
In summary, the Pak establishment and army are back to their old geopolitical tricks of the 1990's.
@Sexton Blake: You cannot compare a plane being lost in bad weather with a soldier crossing barbed wire fence and ending upon other side. Also the plane obeyed orders and landed. This soldier ' who had 'inadvertently landed in India' opened fire. That's another point which is different in the 2 situations.
"I suppose we have to consider the fact that Pakistan may well have caused the weather disturbance. I say this because Pakistan seems to get the blame for everything that goes wrong on the sub-continent" The reverse is in fact true. Somehow for rains that fell directly on Paklistan land and caused floods in 2010, India was blamed. When there is a drought due to serious deficiency of rain also India is blamed. But India does not blame Pakistan for its droughts and floods or for corruption of its politicians or even terrorism caused by Maoists. People blame Pakistan for many terror attacks but by no means all and also for stirring the pot in Kashmir through jihadists that it tries to infiltrate - no more and no less.
First thing you all need to understand is that he crossed border by mistake, because spies sent in are not wearing pak army uniform and holding an AK-47, Have some sense!!
India can never have peace with Pakistan, Aman ki asha is the biggest fraud, and India was never interested in that. Pakistan shouldnt run behind india in this relationship, they should maintain a very diciplined stance on equal level. If they killed a soldier today, dont let any stray villager or soldier to go back and stop the fake media propaganda on asha asha.
Are the Pakistani soldiers blind that they can't even recognize the LOC????? I am of the view that the concerned soldier must have been up to some mischief on the orders of his superiors. Deserves what he got.
Stop fighting about this guys. The simple fact of the matter is this - The Pak Army tried to do what it did a few days ago to attack Indian positions. Unfortunately they could not breach the security wall of the Indian Army who are on high alert. One managed to find his way into the Indian area and the Indian army challenged and shot him.
So be warned. If anybody wants to test the preparedness of the Indian army then do so at your own risk.
This will be avenged This will be avenged. This will be avenged. Pashtoons are Afghan blood we pashtoons.
@Sexton Blake: Stop your ranting. Yes it was due to the weather as reported here on ET.
These killings are all happening because there is no cooperation between India and Pakistan.There is communication gap and misunderstandings.
@BruteForce: Dear BruteForce, I like your explanation that an Indian helicopter veered into Pakistan airspace due to weather disturbance. As Sherlock Holmes once said to Watson, "a distinct touch". Total nonsense of course, but a type of discourse which will guarantee the LoC and Kashmir problems persist for another sixty years or so. However, on second thoughts, I suppose we have to consider the fact that Pakistan may well have caused the weather disturbance. I say this because Pakistan seems to get the blame for everything that goes wrong on the sub-continent, whereas India is totally blameless, at least from an Indian point-of-view.
The soldier who crossed the LOC "inadvertently" would have "inadvertently" lost his way into Kashmir towns and cities - while still armed.
cowards,..what else can be expected of them
@FactCheck: Lets leave sabi out of this. I have read his comments many a time and he is probably the sanest voice of reason you can find around. Except when it comes to NS of course :) . It always surprises me when I find how may jiyalas there are considering Pakistan's short democratic history. I tend to believe that democracy restarts every time Pakistan makes a transition. So for me Pakistan's democracy is very nascent.
@mimo: The UN resolution of 1948 is invalid, since it was done at the behest of an unauthorized act by PM Nehru. . Woah, Buddy. Hold your horses. . 1948 WAS legal, but it only brought about a non-binding resolution in the UN which Pakistan failed to meet ever since. God only knows what Nehru was up to since HE was the one who put up the resolution, but Pakistan seems to think that the plebiscite is for Kashmir in India whereas it was for the original state of the Maharaja of Kashmir which includes PoK and G-B. The original population was supposed to be maintained, hence we still have Article 370. But Pakistan ceded parts of G-B to China and PoK no longer is made up ONLY of the original population. . Fast forward to the Simla Agreement where both Pakistan and India agreed to the UN Charter (on sovereignty of nations!) and decided to solve outstanding issues bilaterally. Now this was done under great duress to Pakistan in the aftermath of the 1971 war and 90,000 PoWs with Bhutto asking for a face-saving gesture from India. . It is interesting to note that some Pakistani posters here have spoken about it. Please read it again -- It is as per UN Charter, not the non-binding UN resolution. The very next clause is where Pakistan has acceded that all outstanding issues will be decided bilaterally unless BOTH countries decide otherwise. The Simla Agreement also fixes the LOC as the de facto boundary and this has been further validated during the Kargil War since the US, EU and China all validated it.
@Mukhtar: Can you assure that unfortunate solder didn't fire. If so then it is unnecessary and wanten killing which needs to condemned vigorously. In case if he fired our guards then it is not a mistake by us. Will you agree this?
How can you cross over barbed wire and ten feet fence 'inadvertently'?!
@Mukhtar: i feel very hurted and pain at the death of the soldier, just feel the pain of the family, i have a respect for pakistani people, pakistan are going through bad phase, i think world is not respecting and listening to pakistani people and just useing to its own means, pakistan needs love and care and india must help pakistan in this difficult, but i feel media spoil everything, i feel both army should friend, play basketball and volleyball at the border, plese stop this war there is no end to it, have love for each, i would love to see a very prosperous pakistan, i want to make friendship with pakistani people, want to call them in my home, want to treat them with lots of delicious dishes, want to proudly tell others that this are my friend from pakistan, when will this day come
2 nation theory was for a reason and day like this.
A soldier life either on Indian side or Pakistan side is a loss to the family and should not happen,but its not true about a militantants who are willingly killing civilians and army personnel and don't follow Geneva convention.
@ishtiaer hussain:
Why did the pak soldier get into a fire fight?. If he was at the wrong place, he should have put down his arms and raised his hand, instead he gets into a fire fight with Indian troops. Yes, the pak soldier was very innocent, indeed.!!!!!!!!!. Muslim warriors.!!
"Indian army kills Pakistani soldier who Strayed across LoC" should have been the Headline, ET.
I remember when indian helicopter crossed few months ago by 'mistake', we returned the helicopter with all 3 men in 1 piece, and see what they did with our guy. indians need a fitting reply or they will continue misbehaving.
@sabi: Most likely they must be trying to stir some trouble in wake of Afzal Guru episode just like they had done in 1989 but times have changed. Feel sorry for the soldier though - may he rest in peace, he was just carrying out orders.
A slap on the faces of those who still consider India to be the most attractive friend of Pakistan. I think we should not forget the Two Nation theory.
@BruteForce: Have you been to Durand line? It will be nice to see it first before being the talking machine!
@Rational: Because they are not to be trusted in all agreements . They are habitual liara and sanctimonious
India does not recognize the role of UN in Kashmir or the UN resolution of 1948. The UN resolution of 1948 is invalid, since it was done at the behest of an unauthorized act by PM Nehru.
As per Indian constitution, Nehru was required to obtain the approval of India's parliament in order to approach the UN on the matter. He did not do that and acted without authority, thereby making his actions illegal and the UN resolution invalid.
@Yoghurt lover: Why did the Pakistani cross LOC? . Q: Why did the chicken cross the road? . A: Because it wants to get to the other side. . Same answer to your question. Since "other side" is also meant as an euphemism, we can surmise that both reasons are true in both cases.
@sabi:
Stop wandering and trespassing. Why does Paki’s think they can anything they want when it comes to India?
@TightJeans: Anytime.Anywhere.Bring it on.
I am surprised at the arrogance and lack of respect shown by our Indian brethren in their comments on a Pakistani paper.......or are they RAW agents under different pseudonyms? Their lack of respect should be answered by ignoring their comments entirely!
@Blithe: Indus water treaty also calls for no more dams on rivers currently under Pakistans' management, so may we know why India is building Baghliar and Nullah dams?
@Skin Taj Even after four defeats you think Pakistan would emerge stronger, for few bones your country is sold out to Americans, keep on day dreaming, you can't even save your innocents who are killed on Karachi streets on daily basis, Afghans are never going to keep you idle and they would never run out of crackers.
@BruteForce: Again you are displaying lack of bana fides and lack of understanding of legal position on Kashmir.
Simla agreemebt specifically says that Kasmir must be resolved as per UN Resolutions ( I don't know what brainwashing you have gone thorough in your Indian schooling system about Simla).
You'll be better educated after reading http://www.countercurrents.org/zargar290113.htm
Read line by line Simla and you'll see that this agreement reinforces UN position , rather than your self concept on things .
@BruteForce:
let me laught..India has air superiorty ..than why did Pakistan was able to shoot your MIG in 1990's......grow up...
Waiting for Let to react ++++++++++++++++++
Pak jawan could use google map. ;-)
At Abbottabad Pakistani soldiers cannot recognize US Helicopters and at LOC they cannot recognize the border +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Back to School:)
@Mukhtar: "Barbaric Indians could have easily captured him and put him to arrest," ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ According to Indian Press the Pakistani soldier was shooting and two Indian soldiers were injured. Thats why capturing him seems was not possible, though making an example out of him like Khasab ( remember him?) would have been a good idea.
@Liberal: "Now we have a good reason to liberate kashmir. I think we shouldn’t waste time, and go ahead." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Exactly why have you been wasting time, eg doing Kargil and getting nothing?
@ishtiaer hussain it happened more then once.
@ishtiaer hussain: During the 1971 war India magnanimously release around 90,000 Pakistan prisoners of war. Generals please make a mental note of this one too.
It is a known fact to the world (except to the Pakistani) that it sends its terrorist and non states actors thru LOC. Sorry of this unfortunate incident but its better to be safe than sorry.
@Liberal: You're welcome to try again. Only this time the result could be a lot worse. (Personally, I hope you guys do.)
Hav the indians forgotten abt the helicopter which crossed the loc a few years back? We should have shot it down instead of sending it back!
For all Indian trolls: How come with all guiding equipment and day time, your helicopter can land in our territory?
@Usman:
Where did u read that?
shooting is the normal protocol for militants under AFPSA,since it is hard to recognise between pakistan army and militants in pakistan army uniform.In todays incident pakistan accepted that it was their soldier,if pakistan would not have accepted then the individual killed would be taken as a militant but India has clarified that it was unaware of pakistan soldier mistakenly crossing the LOC and thinks him as militant.So the issue should stop here.
@M Ali Khan:
1971 Shimla Agreement says no third party will be involved in the disputes anymore. That means the UN too.
Why did you people sign that if you wanted third party mediation or interference?
Of course very sad.Can we stop this madness please....
@ishtiaer hussain:
"The Indian helicopter which strayed into the Pakistani territory in 2011 should have been shot down."
It wasn't shot down because somebody on your side used their brains for once. India has Air Superiority. India can easily impose it and shoot down more Pakistani Choppers.
Do you think the weather disturbance which caused the craft to veer into Pakistani Airspace happens only on the Indian side?
Pakistani soldiers/infiltrators regularly break the ceasefire to spread Terror in Kashmir. THAT cannot be tolerated. The reverse never happens. Can't blame us to be edgy on this regard.
Now we have a good reason to liberate kashmir.
I think we shouldn't waste time, and go ahead.
@Blithe:
Its been 66 years, UN Resolutions are not relevant anymore, especially after 1971, Shimla Agreement, where India-Pak agreed they will keep UN out of it. Why are you going against the agreement your leaders have signed? India is using precisely this agreement to ensure nobody else gets involved.
UN Resolutions say Pakistan should withdraw from Kashmir before any plebiscite was held. If you still think UN is relevant, convince your Govt to get out of Kashmir. Unless that happens you have no right to selectively invoke UN.
If you preach a principle, learn to practice it, before asking others to do it first.
@BruteForce:
WHEN DID PAKISTAN killed some one on Durand line...???????
India can make a fuss about their solidier being killed...but let me guess you wanna take that right away from Pakistan
Barbaric Indians could have easily captured him and put him to arrest, but that wouldn't have satisfied their bloodthirst. Very sad,
This will be avenged.
@BruteForce:
"LoC is a de-facto border and every nation has the right to shoot down any intruders."
Soon you will hear two Indian soldiers were shot dead after they crossed into Pakistani side of LOC. Will see how you and your Indians compatriots react then.
Unfortunate incident. Our thoughts with the family , may his soul rest in peace.
Pakistan was negotiating the return of the soldier when they shot him dead. Not that we expected anything better from Indians.
@BruteForce: It's a de jure disputed area , as per UN resolutions.
UN needs to get act together to resolve this issue .
With all the fencing along the LoC...how could he cross inadvertently?
Well I think Hindustan...is taking advantage of our AMANN KI ASHA !!!!!!! as we are too busy on our other border !!!!
we returned their batch of army crossed over, our border 2001 and they SHOT DOWN OUR NON COMBATANT NAVY PLANE, as it was just half mile strayed on their side....instead of warning !!!!!!!!
We returned their helicopter with pilot and its army crew in it after giving them food and fuel in Gilgit..... and they SHOT our JAWAN when he strayed on their side !!!!!!!
FACT is Paksitan is so busy on the other border that India knows Pakistan has and need all resources on Afghan border.... India therefore is actually provoking intentionally Pakistan...they know that PAKISTAN is going through a very very tough time....They are like a FOX waiting for the prey !!! They know that Pakistan is vulnerable at this stage and once Afghan war is over Pakistan will emerge as a very very strong player in the region ..so they are PROVOKING PAKISTAN so to TAKE ADVANTAGE of the situation !!!!!!!
@BruteForce The Indian helicopter which strayed into the Pakistani territory in 2011 should have been shot down. Make a mental note generals, the indians will have to face the music for their insanity.
@BruteForce: Yes but sad nevertheless! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
@BruteForce: "Pakistanis do it all the time to Afghans on the Durand Line."
When exactly did Pakistan possess Predator Drones and decide to bombard Kunar etc?
@BruteForce: Sorry. LoC is a CEASE FIRE line. It remains such under UN resolutions and directives.
Who asked the soldier from Pak to cross the border. He should have known better.Now they will make him a martyr. They will say Indians are villians . Anyway May his soul rest in peace.
"Inadvertently" am sorry if he was crossing the LOC... he knew very well what he was doing... had it been an Indian Soldier... our response would have been the same... LOC and the ceasefire is there for a reason, if we prefer to play silly mind games in this region then India and Pakistan are nothing more than small children with heavy guns as toys...
While the Internet warriors of Indian & Pakistan are going to battle it out from their couches , the poor family of the soldier will bear all the pain and agony.
Pakistan do same if any intruder come inside pakistan.
No soldier from either side of the LoC will dare cross the border without purpose or malafide intentions. Hope, this matter is resolved amicably at lower level without flaring of tempers.
Pakistan army should immediately provide compass to all its soldiers bordering LoC.
Sad. LoC is a de-facto border and every nation has the right to shoot down any intruders. Pakistanis do it all the time to Afghans on the Durand Line..
He should not have been killed. Maybe he had just wandered off. This death will create more tension between the two neighbors.
How could Pakistani soldier crossed barbed boundary by mistake?.Even if boundary is not fenced by barbed wires soldier is supposed to and trained to reckognised boundary line.
R.I.P brave soldier of Pakistan. You died for a cause
Go ahead pak.. retaliate.
Why did the Pakistani cross LOC?