At least eight alleged separatist fighters were killed, claims Indian Army. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
"I have given directions to call off the concerted search operation," Lieutenant General Sanjiv Chachra, a senior commander, told reporters after a visit to the de facto border that divides the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan.
The general said that 59 heavy weapons had been recovered from the Keran area of Kashmir, along with a large amount of ammunition and rations.
Chachra claimed that markings on the weapons indicated the militants had received help from the Pakistani army for their "infiltration" operation, but did not explain how.
"It could not be possible without their support," the general further claimed at a press conference in Srinagar, but no further details were provided.
Last week, another senior commander claimed 12 militants were killed in a firefight near an abandoned village in the densely-forested area, but Chachra said only eight bodies had been recovered from the scene.
"No other bodies have been found," Chachra said at the end of the two week operation.
The Indian army alleges there is a long-established pattern of increased infiltration attempts from the Pakistani side of the the Line of Control (LoC) before heavy snows close the Himalayan passes.
Foreign ministiry spokesperson Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry in response to Indian Army Chief's accusation on LoC infiltration said, "the menace of terrorism cannot be defeated by indulging in blame game. Pakistan remains committed to meaningful engagement with India to defeat terrorism which is our common enemy."
Chachra also denied that the militants had at any point occupied any forward posts or taken over any Indian-controlled territory in Keran. It was rumoured that the militants had managed to exercise control over one village and some check posts.
"The sanctity of the LoC is well maintained. We are prepared for the challenges," he stated.
The latest fighting near the LoC followed talks between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh last month on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly in New York.
The two leaders agreed to task their respective military commanders to defuse tensions along the LoC, where regular firefights between the two armies have taken place since January, resulting in deaths on both sides.
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over the disputed territory with both claiming it in full.
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"Non-State Actors" with regular army IDs.
Kashmir was, is and will always be an integral part of India. Pakistan should realise the reality of fighting for a lost cause and should instead concentrate on developing whatever it's left with.
@Someone: yeah yeah ... ask those who get bombed by drones... they will tell u how much hurt they are....its easy for some non residential paki to say ... u r far from ground realities of pak... wen u will know u will shake and tremble with fear....war torn nation and failed state u r....go die of polio...:)
Pakistan can keep yelling form rooftops of the world capitals and no one will listen to them. Indian PM MMS has stated firmly at the UNGA that Kashmir belongs to India. Pakistan has never valued human life in Pakistan and if they wish Indian troops to have regular 'target shooting', then they are welcome to send more Pakistanis. Enjoy the body count.
@Someone: @raj: Pakistan hasn’t been hurt by anything. It’s India that’s getting all the slaps, from Kashmiris
You mean pebble throwing kids? OUCH!! Meanwhile, watch out on your friday prayers. There is a good chance you'll be blown to smithereens.
@Bilal, Its 32, and 8 have been sent to the +72 world. 24 retracted for a better opportunity to infiltrate.
Honestly, who claims what is old gramaphone. India will step up more forces in J&K and everyone can forget removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the valley. Like someone commented above, there's nothing like live target practice, hence keep them coming! There's a surprise for Pakistan post 2014 US withdrawal. Trust me, its big.
Cannon fodder for India ... Live Jungle training for the army ...WOW .. India can really test its Drones ... Rifles.. Cannons ...and practice the game ... and obviously the intelligence .. and yes ... here the 1:10 logic proves the point .... Terrorist cordoned from all the sides ... runs for his life back to Pakistan ...or gets killed like a stray dog ... I wonder about the virgin availability in haven ... as so many are in waiting list already ..
Guys, I have some real news for you. For both Indic & Paki trolls. "Thermal Imagery of Terrorist movement across the Line of Control captured by Satellites RISAT-2 & RISAT-1.RISAT-2 & RISAT-1 are all weather, day & night Reconnaissance Satellite with Cloud, Fog and Vegetation penetration.They are designed to monitor India's borders and as part of anti-infiltration and anti-terrorist operations. RISAT-2 was manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) & ISRO and was launched by ISRO in 2009. Shocked by the terrorists’ 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, this satellite was developed on a war footing to plug the holes in India’s surveillance capabilities. India’s trusted and reliable defence partner Israel responded promptly, enabling ISRO to develop the 300 kg radar imaging satellite in record time with the help of Israeli Aerospace Industry (IAI) defence firm. RISAT-1 was manufactured and launched by Bangalore based Space Agency ISRO in 2012." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RISAT-2
@Alann: You need to stop reading Indian textbooks, it's a disputed territory because Pakistan claims Kashmir and rejects the Instrument of Accession to India as illegal, therefore Jammu and Kashmir is identified as a disputed territory. Indian constitution's definition of Kashmir is null and void and has no basis per international resolutions.
@Silent Night: - you have every right to be in illusion.
@Asif Mir Kashmiri: First go and free Pakistan occupied Kashmir and the other part called Aksai Chin that Pakistan has gifted to China.
@Alann: Dream on.
Militants infiltrating from the Pakistan administered kashmir ( with the covert support of Pakistani army ) is an open secret. India will take all out steps to stop the same. Naturally in a scenario of deficit of trust, talks for the normalization of relations will be futile as Indians believe that Nawaz shariff is not in a position to control the activities of army and their strategic assets.
Haha is this a joke? A couple of days ago Indian General was saying that there were 40 freedom fighters and now after killing only 8 fighters in 12 or so days,they are calling it a success.This is a failure of Indian army which lost their posts and villages to just a bunch of freedom fighters.Indian Army humiliated.
Another drama from India; has Bollywood run out of material?
@Eric Kumar killing of innocent kashmire children and people and young youth by the terrorists wow and still you have the audacity to call kashmir your integral part of india when your army who are the real murderer of the kashmir people, children and young people.World and UN consider kashmir as the disputed territory not the INTEGRAL PART of india. secondly tell me when did a terrorist killed a normal people in kashmir? its always indian army or police which belong to india.don't forget that your army raped women killed their kids and husband in front of their eyes huh then they killed 2 years old kids and babies huh and you say integral part of india seriously indians disgust me and no wonder why kashmir wants its independence form india.
"If international community had “ignored” it, your so-called ‘atoot ang’ aka Kashmir wouldn’t be marked as a disputed and occupied territory on all international maps throughout the world."
It is a disputed territory because India has been claiming part of it is illegally occupied by Pakistan. Therefore it is shown as such on international maps. International community is nomore "concerned" about the Kashmir issue as they want it to be sorted out bilaterally by India and Pakistan. And if you were to really want to know an honest opinion, the international community has considerably shifted towards India and have trust on the Indian stance with regards to Kashmir instead of the country that has fought 3 wars over it with India in the past and also sent in army personnels in the guise of militants in 1999. Such deceptions do not win wars, neither do they improve a country's image on the world map. Pakistan is losing this battle. Pakistan's politicians keep shouting "Kashmir!" around the world to appease (and fool) their own public but even they know they no longer hold the Kashmir card. Instead of trying to support militants to create havoc in Indian Kashmir, Pakistan should be happy with the part that it has. Or it should get ready to get thrown back by 2-3 decades. Already Pakistan is totally run on US & Saudi funds. If it goes into a war against India, it can get ready to face tremendous sanctions and immediate stoppage of aid payments. And even China won't come to Pakistan's rescue against India, as they value their trade relations with India more than their "all-weather friendship" with Pakistan.
@ModiFied: I wonder what else rubbish has been running on air during the Modi election drama in India.
@Eric Kumar: Even international community has ignored it
If international community had "ignored" it, your so-called 'atoot ang' aka Kashmir wouldn't be marked as a disputed and occupied territory on all international maps throughout the world.
@raj: Pakistan hasn't been hurt by anything. It's India that's getting all the slaps, from Kashmiris :p
We want freedom of Kashmir from occupying India.
What they actually mean is the Indian army has suffered heavy losses and has 'called off' their operation because they have been unable to find the 'militants'.
Pakistan is playing the same old game. Like in past, it will misfire on Pakistan and this time costs could be very high. Mian Sahab might be talking of peace in front of camera, but he is very on board for these Pakistani activities in Kashmir.
slap on pakistan's face....another foiled.... :D
Good to see that most of these infiltrators have been wiped out. With the winter setting in, infiltrations would slow down considerably. The summer will coincide with Modi coming to power to put a complete end to this.
It would've been nice if Aziz Ahmed Chaudhary & Salman Bashir wouldn't enjoy the luxury of lazily saying that these militant infiltrations are 'baseless allegations' by the Indian Govt. If Pakistan is truly commited to peace with India,Salman Bashir had two full weeks to take a trip to the L.o.c. to see with his own eyes ,wether the Indian govt.was making 'baseless allegations' and to prove Paks innocence to the world. But no one from the Pak.govt.has used these two weeks to go to the L.o.c.,and have instead sat cozily and denied 'baseless allegations'. Very suspicious of Pak.govt. & it's 'commitment to peace'.
Nothing like live target practice. Thanks in advance to the next lot of "non-state actors".
India needs to hand over Jammu and Kashmir to its owner, Pakistan.
Time and time India has told, proved and done, saying there is no compromise as long as terrorists will keep killing the innocent children, women, young youth, and men of Kashmir.. When It will get into terrorist mind rather heads that India has means, strength, will power, and Kashmir is integral part and parcel of India. Even international community has ignored it. it will be better if they use this energy for betterment of their country, which is going down hill everyday.