More LoC violations: Army denies Indian claims of ongoing infiltration

Indian general says 30-40 fighters crossed over; Pak army calls it blatant lie.

NEW DELHI/ ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan army denied Indian reports of the countries’ militaries clashing on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keran region in Kashmir.

On Wednesday, Indian military sources claimed that 30 armed militants were stuck, boxed in, and were trying to get out to return to Pakistan. However, according to an ISPR statement, “This is a blatant lie. We totally deny this baseless allegation.”

The armed engagement is reportedly taking place even after the prime ministers of India and Pakistan have met in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session and have promised new arrangements to ensure the ceasefire agreement along the LoC holds.

The Indian Army has cordoned off a large group of about 30 militants, said Indian military officials. The operation against the ‘infiltration’ began on September 24 and is now reaching its end, they claimed.

The exact region of the alleged conflict is an area called Shala Bhata, 20 kilometres from the district headquarters at Keran, according to AFP. The region was the venue of heavy fighting in the late 1990s and is known for endemic infiltration into India.

Some 30 to 40 heavily armed fighters have entered into India, who have been captured on camera, Indian Lieut Gen Gurmit Singh said at a press conference. This is unprecedented in recent times, he added. Singh claimed that the infiltrators appeared to be part of Pakistan Army’s special force and are said to be using heavy artillery. He denied media reports that the insurgents had taken over a village in the Keran sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2013.