ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa endorsed on Friday swift and severe retaliation to violations of the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir by Indian forces.

Visiting the LoC, the new COAS told his local commanders to “respond with full force” and “in the most effective manner” to “each violation of any kind”.

The general, who in his first public comments after assuming command had expressed the hope that the situation on the LoC would soon improve, praised the troops for giving a “befitting response” to earlier violations by India.

The LoC has been in focus this year because of some of the worst exchanges of fire since the 2003 ceasefire accord. At least 39 civilians and 12 soldiers have been killed since September on the Pakistani side. India claimed in late September to have carried out ‘surgical strikes’ across the LoC after an attack on an Indian military camp in Uri, India-held Kashmir. Pakistan rejected the Indian claim of surgical strikes.

Guns on the LoC have been silent since the Nov 23 exchanges, believed to be the deadliest in 13 years that left 10 civilians and three soldiers dead on the Pakistani side. India too reportedly suffered heavy casualties.

The general’s visit to the Bhimber sector on the LoC was his second trip to a hotspot since he succeeded Gen Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters. He earlier visited North Waziristan, where he vowed to continue the fight against terrorism with a greater focus.

Speaking to the troops at forward locations on the LoC, Gen Bajwa emphasised maintenance of “highest level of vigil at all times”.

He said the “core issue of Kashmir” would have to be resolved between Pakistan and India in accordance with the United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for lasting peace in the region.

Earlier, Gen Bajwa was briefed in detail about the security situation on the LoC.

Published in Dawn December 3rd, 2016