Defence Minister AK Antony. PHOTO: FILE
Tension has been running high along one of the world's most militarised borders in Kashmir since August 6 when five Indian soldiers were ambushed and killed while on a patrol.
Indian Defense Minister AK Antony accused it was clear that specialist troops of the Pakistani army were involved in the attack on the soldiers whose deaths triggered criticism that the government's posture toward the neighbour had been too soft.
Antony demanded that Pakistan act against those involved in the latest incident as well as the killing of two soldiers back in January, one of whom was decapitated.
"Naturally, this incident will have consequences on our behaviour on the Line of Control and for our relations with Pakistan," he told parliament, referring to the de facto border between the two countries in the Kashmir region. "Our restraint should not be taken for granted."
Pakistan has denied involvement and instead accused India of opening fire and killing one of its soldiers in late July. Also the same month, police in Azad Jammu and Kashmir said four civilians who had gone to collect herbs near the Line of Control had gone missing and their families believed they had been arrested by the Indian army.
The rhetoric in India has been steadily mounting as the Congress-led coalition government faces a difficult election less than a year away, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being criticised by opposition hardliners and even from within his party for trying to quietly relaunch peace talks with Pakistan.
On Sunday night, the two armies - which are in close proximity in many areas - exchanged fire along the Kargil stretch of the mountains where the ceasefire has held since November 2003.
"The firing continued for half an hour, however, there was no loss of life or damage", said a police officer in the Indian side of Kashmir.
The two armies fought an undeclared war in Kargil in 1999 after Pakistani irregulars crossed the Line of Control, prompting Indian air and ground operations to evict them. They have fought three wars since 1947.
Indian army officials accused that the latest attack on its soldiers was carried out by Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT). The unit includes members of Pakistan's commando Special Services Group and irregular forces, including members of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
"Pakistan is making a serious mistake with regard to ceasefire and BAT attacks. It should not do it. It is not going to deter us. The army is here to respond in each and every act of Pakistan," said Indian army Major-General VP Singh, a division commander in the Rajouri sector along the border.
So far, the two armies have exchanged small-arms firing, refraining from the artillery duels they engaged in before the ceasefire in 2003.
COMMENTS (65)
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@Romm: Well may be India bashing was not the priority in these elections as load shedding became the major head ache for you guys but your Hamid Guls and Zaid Hamids keep day dreaming about hosting Pakistani flag in Red Fort in Delhi and tell you what, your media channels invite them because they sell and they sell because of India bashing.So if you tell me that India bashing is not a scoring point in Pakistan, I would beg to differ.Also you are welcome to go to Indian blogs and comment whatever you like. This is internet. I don't see tribune putting a warning on main page saying that it is only meant for Pakistanis. Also, most of the times Indians comment only on the blogs/opinion/OpEd/stories related to India. If tribune does not publish them, I don't see a reason why an Indian would bother to come and comment here.This could be a reason why you don't go to Indian blogs, 'cause there is not much about Pakistan and I am sure you are not interested in local politics of India just like we don't give a hoot about Pakistani Politics.
U know why Indian Mourning is improportionate to Pakistani action....... They know its their turn after the withdrawl of US from Afghanistan. We have lost 60000 people....... difficult to reconcile. ......
@Candid1: Only few balochi tribal heads agreed to join Pakistan just like Hari Singh of Kashmir agreed to join India. There was no poll done through average citizen in either case. It was not India who invaded Kashmir but the tribals of the NWFP region,pushed by then Pakistan government, who invaded into Kashmir and then on the request of Hari Singh, Indian army stepped in. Had it been India army invaded first into Kashmir, you probably would not even had occupy an inch of it and whole Kashmir would have been under Indian administration.You ought to read some history books which are not written by your school curriculum writers. Also if Balochis were so happy with Pakistan , why would they start armed rebellion against it and the history of Baloch rebellion is much older than Kashmir one. The Baloch rebellion started without outside interference while Kashmir one was incited by Pakistan.Kashmir is Indian territory and that is how it is going to be like. The question really is how and when Pakistan army get out of illegally occupied Kashmir.
So-called "azad" kashmir is not really azad. It is under occupation. Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession to join the Union of India, not Pakistan. Pakistan invaded the state, usurped half of it, systematically ethnically cleansed my Kashmiri Pandit community over decades, turned the state from sufi to wahabi, and now have the audacity to ask for independence or accession to Pakistan. Sorry, that will never happen.
@u patil: Why doesnt he call himself Kashmiri -Pakistani instead of Kashmiri-American.Because he lives in the US and enjoys all the liberties that a citizen is entitled to in the US
@Raj - USA: Ok, when you can't face the truth, create fiction. Keep deluding yourself, and make sure your B1 American visa remains valid, otherwise you will have to go back and face the reality of your India.
@someone: What nonsense! Balochistan opted to be part of Pakistan at independence, and was not invaded, unlike Kashmir which was invaded by Indians. There are no UN Security Council resolutions calling for pakistani withdrawal from Balochistan, unlike in case of Kashmir where Indians, being the invading force are required to withdraw so a plebiscite can be held.
Further proof of India's occupation of Kasmir is that the Kashmiri Maharajah was removed from the territory by India and never allowed to come back. India claims that the Maharajah acceded to India, but failed to produce any instrument of accesseion at the time. Therefore, India is in illegal occupation of Kashmir, whereas Pakistan's involvement is subsequent to the Indian invasion, and is in resistance to this foreign occupation by India. Don't start believing your own propaganda, you are fooling no one except yourself.
Mr. Defense Minister you have no other option, you only have to be restraint
@Romm: Well an average Indian won't give a hoot about Pakistan if we don't come across news like the recent ambush on Indian soldiers. And I think it is the same way with an average Pakistani. They won't give a hoot about India either.India is so big that the local Indian media always have some news to play just related to India. Pakistan media on the other hand is full of news about India in one way or other.If it is not two nation theory then water. If not railway then Kashmir. They always draw a comparison between the two countries.Some even go to an extent that if something happened to Rohingyas in Myanmar, they think India is involved in it. I mean there should be a limit to obsession and stupidity but seems like India bashing sells in Pakistan and still a good scoring point for political parties. .
@Romm: The norm is to get an answer to previously asked questions before asking another. I am waiting for reply.
Not interested in getting edified from India, a country which still has a well-established caste system. India, please concentrate on giving equal human rights to your lower level 'castes'.
@Kashmiri-American: Sure that is why you are sitting in America with a green card. Why have you not gone and settled in Pakistan your first love?
@someone: Good question, next please...
@Ramesh Powar: Indians blitzkrieg into Pakistani blogs speaks otherwise.
@VINOD: You said Indian public does not want escalation with Pakistan. Mr Vinod in Pakistani elections there was not even a single word about India. But on Indian side, Pakistan bashing has become a political norm. As far supremacy of civilian rule is concerned, it's not Kayani who is beating the drums, rather its your army chief who is dictating his terms to Poor Manmohan.
State of Union of Pakistan: Paley Nahin Dhela tay kardi hey mela mela. War is not fought on cheap talk. Need dollars to fight war and if you can not pay your bills to generate electricity how can you fight war? And do you expect Asian tiger to eat grass? By beating drums all you doing is scaring the investors. Oh I forgot NS is used to placing call to White House.
@Shahid Khan: "A third rate country like India can only talk..." Boy - you sure can dream! What happens when you wake up?
@Kashmiri-American: you can go and settle in Pakistan.
@Kashmiri-American: How can you hate Kashmiris so much that you wish them to be part of Pakistan? Are you sure you are Kashmiri? Any way which passport do you hold? Indian or Pakistani?
@Kashmiri-American: Actually we want all anti-India Kashmiris to be part of Pakistan. We are even ready to sponsor one way ticket.Just check with Pakistan government if they are ready to take you guys in. I think they should not, after all they have thousands of Afganis there.
@Kashmiri-American: of course, you can choose as it is one of the most flourishing states in the world and most importantly your religion call shots there...
@Raj - USA: By that you mean the PM is just a Mayor of Islamabad.
Article fails to write the other side of the story. How many times did Indian troop violate the cease fire and how many Pakistan troops were kill & injured.
@someone: Speak for yourself.
As a Kashmiri Muslim, I would rather have Kashmir be a part of Pakistan than India.
You shouldn't take Pakistan's restraint for granted either.
This explains all the drama behind recent LoC crisis, doesn't it? I won't be surprised if tomorrow some Indian troops confess to killing their own mates, on order of higher authorities.
Its obvious , that MODS have decided to bar my comments lately on very important issues, hence they are lost cause, yet the twitter has those comments and I do have a following and the world is watching this charade ! In future, I will post my comments to twitter first, as its obvious the fools making decision are simply inept at their own level !
Oh yeah, so it's clear that specialist troops of Pakistan Army were involved in the alleged LoC killings, but India has still not been able to prove that, not to Pakistan and not even to their own citizens.
And when is India going to act against those who have been killing thousands of innocent Kashmiris for years, besides those who have killed many Pakistani soldiers at LoC recently?
@Rational Liberal: I’m fed up of India, we should act like they don’t even exist. That's all we ask!
hehehe!
Antony Gonzalves, India has no limit of restraint. Stop lying. Your lies are not bought by either Pakistanis or Indians.
@Silent Night: Pakistan's government has always been and still is the Army. They either rule directly or indirectly. At times they rule their sponsored non-state actors. We saw what happened during Kerry Lugar bill, memogarte, NATO supply route closure after Salala incident, DPC popped up and IK suddenly becomes a force. 2 years ago, IK used to be the sole guest speaking for his party in all TV discussions and talk shows, sometimes with Sheikh Rasheed. He organizes huge jalsa and many well-known politicians from other parties join PTI. The truth is that Army is always directly ruling Pakistan or rules it from behind the scenes. Now, the army has lost much of its clout as they hesitate to act on talibans out of fear and also it is only the civilian government that can get them finances. These days USA and Europe are not willing to fund the Army directly. Only China continues to do so and even they have reduced this.
Who made ghazal legend Ghulam Ali, Indian Defence Minister???
@Shahid Khan: Are you left with any resources at all?? You guys are begging post to pillar for the loans around the world.Why would India need to spend its resource in fighting you? You are doing the job all by your self in the most efficient manner.
@Naveen: Then how come anti Indians have never managed to form a government in Pakistan, whule in India anti Pakistani narrative has helped BJP form a government not only at the federal level but also at the provincial level, and helped extremists like Modi become chief mnisters? Seems like it is the Indians who need the "other" to justify their existence.
@Rational Liberal: I wish you guys do that. Just leave India/kashmir/indian muslims alone.
@Naveen: Stop playing the "infidel card", it's getting old now.
The only reason Pakistan doesn't like India is because of the Kashmir dispute,India's interference in Baluchistan, and India's support of rebels in 1971.
I don't hate Hindus, some of my friends are Hindus.
@RealBloch: Yeah same like they are hunting and killing TTP and all.Right. Good luck with that.
@Candid1: illelegal? It is as legal as Pakistani Occupation of Kashmir and Balochistan.
@Realist: Do you really think India needs to invade? Nope. It just need to built few more dams.
Its getting too far..
We are repeating the same mistakes of 1965
A third rate country like India can only talk. If you think you'll move on Pakistan, you'll implode as a country and be reduced to the size of Sri Lanka. At this point we really don't give a damn with all the bias against us. We will expend every last resource to teach you a lesson. You're not a superpower, so stop drinking the Koolaid!
@Paindoo: Anti-India propaganda in Pakistan has not vanished , just that Pakistanis are right now focussed on big Satan- US of A. As soon as the big satan gets out of picture, I am sure we infidels will be back on the list (masses have very short term memory). The root of the problem is Pakistani State's own inability to design and sell a constructive Nationalist narrative, and so it is forced to take refuge in the fear of 'other' to keep its lot together.
I'm fed up of India, we should act like they don't even exist.
@ET:post my comment, it isn't offensive.
@VINOD: Speak for yourself. You do not represent all Indians.
Oh please ET, would you stop playing this reuters Tape recorder ? It is the same old statement that was reported a few days back.
Can the respectable indian defence minister actually try and substantiate how is "it is clear" that Pakistan army regulars are involved in border attacks?
the pakistani government should respond to this india propaganda . while they are accusing us based on no evidence they have not even attempted to provide any . this is all an election ploy by congress to gather votes in the upcoming elections next year. the government has to be aggressive in its reply . Pakistan will not be bullied by india .
I Urge Pakistanis to respond massively to India........ it seems to the be only way Congress will come to its senses
Anti-India propaganda has vanished from electioneering in Pakistan but it seems that our neighbour is too obsessed with Anti-Pakistan sentiments. This rehetoric will increase with nearing of Indian election for Lok Sabha.
@ Real Baloch You born after Kargil War ???
Really? They shot and killed a Pakistani soldier on July 30, well before thier occupying troops were killed. So much for restraint! India is in illegal occupation of Kashmir, with the highest ratio of occupation troops to civilians, and they still cannot prevent their own casualties. Antony, if the death of your soldiers hurts so much then end your military occupation of Kashmir.
We the Indians are widely aware that what happens at LOC may not be in the knowledge or approved by the highest echelons of civil governance of Pakistan. We sincerely wish that the democracy and civil authority in Pakistan should flourish. This has been the reason that the people of India in general do not wish or encourage escalation of armed conflict. This is also with the knowledge that for progress on all fronts peace is the key stone. Sufficient material has been placed on the world press and also by Pakistani commanders, including General Musharraf, to substantiate how Kargil conflict unfolded and why. We only pray that good sense prevails and Pakistan Army realizes that fire of revenge will bring only mutual destruction.
Yeah we have thousands of hawaldaar sher khan here.
music to some ears
1st to comment. -Thanks for posting ET.
Look who is Talking !!!!, he doesn't know from left to right and keeps changing stance and statements.
Pakistan's response: "Ok, have a good day"
Start moving army battalions, naval blockade, and put the air force on emergent.
Stop talking, start moving. Firings will stop forthwith.
Then do something about it instead of just playing words game. Oh sorry, I forgot. This is not 1971 anymore. Pakistan has nukes now.
Pakistani government need to use more assertive and pro aggressive postures for India(ns) to understand that Pakistan will jealously guard its interests. Minus that and India(ns) will not understand when to stop. You have to understand the psychology of people who you dealing with. For first time in history, Indians enjoying the perception (false in my opinion) that they are very strong and it has not been too easy for them to contain themselves.
These Pakistani special surgical troops can hunt and kill Indian troops like ants. If you ask for war then let the killing spree begin. It will be like killing mosquito.