The Indian Army is bracing for retaliation to avenge the mutilation of the bodies of two of its soldiers on Monday. Major action is inevitable given the ‘despicable’ nature of the cross-border raid by Pakistan, highly-placed sources in the security establishment said. Already small and medium range weapon firing has started on the line of Control (loC). Army chief General Bipin Rawat has reached Srinagar to take stock of the situation.
Describing the mutilation as an act of ‘extreme barbarism’ Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said, “Such attacks don’t take place even during a war.” He added that the whole country had full faith in the armed forces. “This is a reprehensible and an inhuman act,” he said, adding the sacrifice of the soldiers would not go in vain.
The Pakistan Army, however, denied the incident and said it did not commit any ceasefire violation on the loC. It also tried to refute the ghastly deeds of its Border Action Team (BAT) in Buttal sector (Indian Krishna Ghati sector). In a tweet, the Pakistan Army said that it was a highly professional force and shall never disrespect a soldier.
Incidentally, the cross-border raid took place a day after Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited some forward posts on the loC on Haji Pir.
Asserting that the Indian Army will take appropriate action, officials said here the retaliation will be “longish.” A graded response, as part of a well-thought-out strategy will unfold in coming days. The Pakistan Army posts giving covering fire to militants to sneak into Jammu & Kashmir will be targeted, sources said.
The areas close to the loC from where BAT teams comprising terrorists and highly-trained commandos of Special Services Group (SSG) of Pakistan Army are launched into J&K will also face the “full fury” of the artillery barrage in coming days, officials said.
The next few days could see the Indian Army using its higher posts to target Pakistan Army posts close to the loC, sources said, adding some posts known to actively aid and abet infiltration will come under intense fire assault. The Army had resorted to such an action soon after militants mutilated the body of an Indian soldier in November last year and destroyed several Pakistani posts besides inflicting casualties as a punitive measure.
The situation on the loC has remained tense for weeks. A majority of the 65 ceasefire violations this year by Pakistan have taken place in the 16 Corps region. More than 225 such violations along the loC falling within the domain of 16 Corps and 15 Crops took place last year, while 150 such violations were reported in 2015.
Apprehending a spike in levels of violence in the coming weeks, sources said 18 soldiers had died so far this year. Three of them were killed on the loC in ceasefire violations and the remaining in encounters with the militants in the hinterland.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation in J&K and the Naxal-affected States on Monday. He was briefed about the ground situation in J&K, particularly along the border, where the bodies of two soldiers were mutilated.
Top security brass, including Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and chiefs of Intelligence agencies, briefed the Home Minister about the steps taken to tighten security along the border, official sources said.
The Home Minister directed the top officials to ensure strict vigil along the International Border, which is guarded by the BSF.