Four rebels were killed as the soldiers returned gunfire after the surprise assault before dawn on the base, located near the highly militarized Line of Control dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan. The storage facility for the arms also caught fire. Afterward, military helicopters hovered over the base as the army conducted what it described as “mopping up” operations.
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All the attackers were also killed in counter Army attack.
Meanwhile, the combing operation around the army camp in Uri was called off on Monday evening and the area was declared secured after the recovery of 39 under barrel grenade launchers, five hand grenades, two radio sets, two Global Positioning System, two map sheets, two matrix sheets a mobile phone and a large number of food and medicine packets having Pakistani markings.
Determined to use a calibrated, multi-layered and strategic response to Uri attack, India is likely to expose Pakistan before the world community by furnishing it with actionable evidence regarding its sponsoring of terrorism and press for isolating the nation. “Now the PM should wear a sari and go to Pakistan if he can not take appropriate action (following the Uri attack)”, said Kawthankar.
The terrorists, identified by the Army as members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, chose the time of attack to inflict maximum damage. At worldwide level, India has already chose to isolate Pakistan.
“It’s not like the United States conducting airstrikes in Syria to tackle ISIS that’s hundreds of miles away from home ground, Pakistan is next door”, said Ajai Sahni, executive director at the Institute of Conflict Management think-tank in Delhi.
While army sources say deployment is less on rear side, locals claimed concertina wires at a certain patch were also not intact as locals would venture to the other side to arrange grass for cattle. Those who spoke to ETfor this report did so on the condition they not be identified.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and tweeted, “I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished”.
“We call upon this Council to urge Pakistan to put an end to cross-border infiltration; dismantle the terrorism infrastructure; and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism”, it said in its statement.
“China opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism”.
“Nothing can justify terrorism, which must be combatted everywhere with the same determination”, the spokesperson said.
The attack has triggered some tough rhetoric in India.
Rock-throwing protesters have clashed with troops firing live ammunition and shotgun pellets, and more than 80 people have been killed in the violence.
“Pakistan’s continued mistreatment of large parts of its own population has created a cauldron of tumult that has begun to jeopardise the safety and security of its neighbouring countries”.
“The Indian Army has displayed considerable restraint while handling the terrorist situation both along the Line of Control and in hinterland”.
FILE – An Indian security personnel stands guard on a building at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base at Pathankot in Punjab, India, Jan. 5, 2016. The locations are just six to seven kilometers from the base.
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The government has also started an exercise to draw up possible economic measures that it could deploy against Pakistan with the help of like-minded countries.
