‘Notion of Surgical Strike… Is Fabrication of Truth,’ Pakistan Responds

Srinagar: Pakistan on Thursday denied Indian claims of surgical strikes along the Line of Control (LoC) in “Azad” Jammu and Kashmir.

“There has been no surgical strike by India, instead there had been cross border fire initiated and conducted by India which is existential phenomenon,” the military’s media wing ISPR said.

The statement added, “As per rules of engagement same was strongly and befittingly responded by Pakistani troops.”

“The notion of surgical strike linked to alleged militant bases is an illusion being deliberately generated by Indian to create false effects. This quest by Indian establishment to create media hype by re branding cross border fire as surgical strike is fabrication of truth. Pakistan has made it clear that if there is a surgical strike on Pakistani soil, same will be strongly responded,” the statement said.

Earlier today, India’s defence ministry military claimed it carried out “surgical strikes” along the de facto border with Pakistan in AJK to thwart a series of attacks being planned against major cities.

“Some militant teams had positioned themselves at launch pads along the Line of Control,” Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, the army’s director-general of military operations, said in reference to the unofficial border in divided Kashmir.

“The Indian army conducted surgical strikes last night at these launch pads. Significant casualties have been caused to these terrorists and those who are trying to support them,” he told reporters in New Delhi, adding that he had called his Pakistani counterpart to inform him of the operation.

Two Pakistan Army soldiers were killed on Thursday as Indian forces resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC in Bhimber, Kel and Lipa sectors, ISPR claimed.

The exchange of fire took place in the Bhimber, Hot Spring, Kel and Lipa sectors, and lasted about six hours early on Thursday, the Pakistani military’s press wing said in a statement. Pakistani troops mounted a fitting response to unprovoked Indian firing.

India on Thursday announced that air links between Pakistan and India, which including direct flights between the two countries will be decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.