RAWALPINDI: The army on Tuesday described as baseless and misleading an Indian claim according to which Indian forces had destroyed military posts in Azad Kashmir.

A statement by Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the chief of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that none of the posts had been destroyed in shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC). It added that Pakistani forces had not targeted civilians living across the de facto border.

“Indian claims of destroying Pakistani post along LoC in Nowshera sector and firing by Pakistan Army on civilians across LoC are false,” said Maj Gen Ghafoor in a tweet.

A subsequent and more detailed ISPR statement said: “Indian claims of destroying Pakistan Army posts... are totally baseless and misleading.”

Indian army claims carrying out pre-emptive strikes

It clarified that it was the Indian Army that had resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation on May 13, which had resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

“In the wake of Indian aggression, a befitting and stern response was mounted on Indian posts causing substantial losses to military men and material,” said the statement.

“Notwithstanding, [Pakistan’s] desire to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LoC, Pakistan Army remains undeterred and any misadventure by Indian Army would be responded with even greater force and strength.”

The ISPR statements came within hours of a news briefing held in the Indian capital which was addressed by a spokesman for the Indian army.

“As part of our counterterror(ism) operations, punitive fire assaults across LoC are being undertaken by the Indian army,” Maj Gen Ashok Narula claimed at the briefing.

“(A) recent action by our troops in Naushera sector has caused some damage to Pakistani army posts which are supporting infiltrations. This is part of our strategy to counter terrorism,” he said, adding that India would “proactively resist militant incursions”.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley claimed the Indian army was taking “pre-emptive and measured actions to counter terrorism”.

Pakistani officials say India is struggling to contain a flare-up in protests against its rule in India-held Kashmir, where deep-seated anger and calls for independence remain widespread.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2017