ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army is certain it caused casualties on the Indian side of the border in response to the cross-border firing by Indian troops which killed two Pakistani soldiers, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Asim Bajwa said on Saturday.

Briefing journalists in Baghsar area of Azad Kashmir, Bajwa said it was not clear why India is "not accepting and sharing" its losses, Radio Pakistan reported.

The ISPR chief said the military responded "befittingly" to Indian firing across the Line of Control (LoC). He said however, that a "war is not in anybody's interest".

"We have defended our homeland and we are committed to do so in the future."

Referring to reports of an Indian soldier having entered into Pakistani territory "inadvertently", Bajwa said the military is "looking into the matter".

While the Indian side maintained its soldier "inadvertently crossed into Pakistan and should be returned as per existing mechanisms", Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi has said he was captured "while trying to enter into Pakistani territory".

Read: Attempts being made to free Indian soldier from Pakistani custody: Rajnath Singh

The journalists were also given a tour of the LoC.

‘Navy fully capable to hit back with all its might’

Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah visited forward posts at creek areas to review the combat readiness of Pakistan Navy, he was accompanied by Commander Coast Rear Admiral Waseem Akram.

The chief reiterated that the navy’s “commitment for peace must not be construed as weakness”. He said, “Pakistan Navy is fully capable to hit back with all its might if the war is imposed.”

Admiral Zakaullah visited various naval posts in creek areas and observed the operational readiness of the troops deployed on forward bases.

While interacting with the navy personnel, Zakaullah lauded their level of motivation and determination to safeguard the maritime frontiers of the country. He also exhorted them to “come up to the expectations and confidence which their countrymen have put into them”.

Soaring tensions

In one of the worst episodes of cross-border firing along the Line of Control, at least two Pakistan Army soldiers were killed as Indian troops opened fire on the first line of defence.

India also claimed to have performed a "surgical strike" by crossing the disputed boundary. The Indian claims were rubbished by Pakistan Army.

It later emerged that an Indian soldier was captured by the Pakistan army, while Indian soldiers were also killed in the episode of firing across the LoC.

Security sources said at the time that at least eight Indian soldiers were killed in firing by Pakistani troops.

An Indian army official based in New Delhi said, “It is confirmed one soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles with weapons has inadvertently crossed over to the Pakistan side of the Line of Control”.