The Indian army on Tuesday claimed to have blocked an attempt by suspected militants to infiltrate India-held Kashmir (IHK). Commentators say the latest attack gives him a fresh chance to try to make Pakistan an outcast.
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Sources said the Home Minister took stock of the steps taken to check infiltration along the LoC and the International Border with Pakistan.
In one of the deadliest attacks on the Indian Army in recent years, 18 soldiers were killed and as many others injured as heavily armed militants stormed a battalion headquarters of the force in Kashmir’s Uri town early Sunday.
The fall in incidents of terrorists sneaking into India a year ago across the LoC was attributed to heightened patrolling along the Line of Control and an effective counter-terror system in the state. According to sources, NIA will collect the blood samples and fingerprints of the four terrorists killed in Uri. Initial reports indicate that the slain terrorists belong to Jaish-e-Mohammed Tanzeem (militant group).
A ceasefire violation was reported at the India-Pakistan border in the Uri sector of Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday.
As per army sources, soldiers became apprehensive about a possible infiltration bid after Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing at forward Indian posts today afternoon. Indian soldiers returned the fire and kept vigil around to monitor any cross border movement.
Pakistan accuses New Delhi of using the attack to deflect attention from unrest in the portion of Kashmir India controls.
In Pakistan, two senior army officers dismissed the Indian allegation as baseless. The presence of the Foreign Secretary was explained in the context of the move by India to launch a diplomatic offensive to isolate Pakistan at global fora, starting with the upcoming UN General Assembly. India has all the evidence of the Pakistani military’s involvement, and it has the right to hit back in a manner and at a time of its choice.
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Kalia said soldiers were exchanging fierce gunfire with the two groups of militants in Uri region and Nowgam sector.
