Pakistan rebuffs Indian media claim of ‘tactical strike’

• ISPR blames India for continuation of its ‘self-defeating’ projections to satisfy the domestic audience

• FO tags Indian claim ‘figment of imagination’ and counter-productive for peace, tranquillity

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday rebuffed the Indian claim of a ‘tactical strike’ across the Line of Control into Pakistan, blaming India for the continuation of its “self-defeating” projections to satisfy the domestic audience.

The Foreign Office (FO) on Tuesday summoned India’s acting deputy high commissioner to condemn the ceasefire violation and martyrdom of three Pakistan Army soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC) inside Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK).

The firing by Indian forces in Rakhchikri sector of the Poonch district of Azad Jammu Kashmir had provided a cover for the planting of the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by non-state actors, which resulted in the martyrdom of three soldiers, according to the FO statement.

The Foreign Office categorically rejected claims by the Indian media that Indian forces had crossed the Line of Control to attack Pakistani troops.

“The false claims by India about the alleged cross-LoC adventures are a figment of their imagination and counter-productive for peace and tranquillity on the Line of Control,” the statement said.

The Indian side had received a befitting response from the Pakistani forces and their guns were silenced, it said. FO spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned the Indian envoy and urged his side to respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also denied Indian claims that their troops had crossed over the Line of Control.

“No Indian soldier crossed over Line of Control,” the statement read. “Indian media claim is a continuation of their self-defeating projections to satisfy the domestic audience.”

Sources in the government informed Pakistan Today that an IED blast by some non-state actors in Rakhchikri sector of the Poonch district of Azad Jammu Kashmir had resulted in the martyrdom of three soldiers.

Pakistani soldiers killed in ‘selective targeting’, claims Indian media 

“The blast triggered firing from across the LoC as both the sides traded heavy gunfire,” the sources said.

Talking to Pakistan Today, analyst Lt General (r) Amjad Shoaib termed the Indian media claims of the strike as “false, childish and cooked up by fools”.

“Only a fool can claim that a surgical strike in a heavily militarised area has taken place just to kill three soldiers. Such strategic operations are conducted under special circumstances and for very strategic goals as stakes are always high in such operations,” he added.

Gen Amjad said that especially talking about a surgical strike in Rakhchikri area is a foolish claim as the area is a very difficult terrain.

“In such a harsh winter, chances of such an operation are very remote. Moreover, there has to be a bigger objective to go for such a risky operation. This is why Indian military has not claimed it,” he added.

The veteran army officer said Indian media has told another lie to pacify its own public as a face-saving move after its recent humiliation of the losses at hands of Pakistani army only a few days back.

The heavily militarised LoC splits the disputed Kashmiri state intro parts but skirmishes and firing are in a serious breach of a ceasefire agreement signed by Pakistan and India in November 2003. According to reports, India has breached the truce for more than 1,300 times since January this year, leaving 52 people dead on this side and another 257 injured.