- Pakistani general urges Indian counterpart to look inward to probe soldiers’ killing, firing along LoC
- Issue of continuously targeting innocent civilians in AJK by Indian troops also highlighted
Pakistan on Tuesday informed India that the Pakistan Army is a professional military outfit and upholds highest standards of conduct thus allegations of mutilation are attempt to divert world attention from situation within the Indian-held Kashmir (IHK).
The military commanders of the Pakistani and Indian armies made hotline contact in the Rawalakot-Poonch areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in the wake of Indian allegations. The Pakistani commander told his Indian counterpart that there had been no ceasefire violation or crossing of the LoC by the Pakistani troops, so the mutilation of the bodies of Indian soldiers was not possible.
“Indian authorities were also told that there is unnecessary media hype following the allegations, and that Pakistan remains fully committed to maintaining peace and tranquility along the LoC and expects the same from the Indian side,” according to a press release, issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations.
The Pakistani commander asked for actionable evidence and urged that the Indian Army should look inward to probe the incidence and also cautioned his Indian counterpart that they were fully committed to maintain peace and tranquility along the Line of Control. However, any dis-adventure shall be appropriately responded at a place and time of own choosing, he said.
He also highlighted the issue of continuously targeting innocent civilians on the Line of Control by the Indian troops and apprised him that continuity of such action would invite appropriate response. The Pakistani commander expressed hope that prudence would be exercised across the divide and no steps would be taken that may affect peace along the LoC and lead to a worsening of the environment.
The Indian allegations come days after Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the LoC in the Haji Pir sector of Azad Jammu Kashmir and reiterated support to the cause of Kashmiri people. The Haji Pir sector is in Haveli district and Battal sector is in its neighbouring Poonch district.
Referring to atrocities in the India-held Kashmir, General Bajwa had said that even though the people of Pakistan could not remain indifferent to the barbaric treatment meted out to defenceless Kashmiris, the Pakistan Army would however keep its response purely in the military domain in accordance with its values.
In New Delhi, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit also rejected the Indian allegations about ceasefire violation at the Line of Control and mutilation of bodies of the Indian soldiers. Abdul Basit was summoned by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday, Indian media reported.
Indian External Affairs secretary also handed over a letter to Abdul Basit. The high commissioner rebuffed the Indian allegations and stated that no ceasefire violation was committed by Pakistan at the Line of Control and the allegations were baseless.
In January 2013, India had made a similar allegation that Pakistani troops had killed and mutilated two Indian soldiers in Mendhar sector, but investigations by the Pakistan Army had found no evidence of the deaths.