India said there were continued attempts at sniping and targeting of its soldiers by Pakistan
India reserves the right to retaliate appropriately to any incident causing the death of its troops, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) told his Pakistani counterpart today in an unscheduled phone call following
two major attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in 48 hours.
According to Indian officers, Pakistan's DGMO initiated the call, saying he was concerned that civilians were being targeted by Indian soldiers. India then stressed that it was Pakistan that had provoked Indian soldiers by firing from across the border.
"We highlighted that all ceasefire violations were initiated by Pakistani Rangers in the Jammu sector. The BSF (Border Security Force) only responded. There was no targeted fire by Indian forces on civilians," said an officer.
India emphasized that the BSF initiated firing only on armed Pakistani terrorists attempting to cross over. "The DGMO also put across emphatically that the trend of infiltration across the Line of Control continued with the active support of Pak forward posts impacting peace and tranquility along the Line of Control and also the internal security situation," the statement said.
India said there were continued attempts at sniping and targeting of its soldiers, which was supported by Pakistan army troops.
"The DGMO reiterated that the Indian Army is a professional Army and reserves the right to retaliate appropriately to any incident leading to the loss of life of our troops," India said.
A soldier was killed as Pakistani troops fired at an Army patrol along the Line of Control in Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. On Thursday, Pakistani troops targeted Indian border outposts and villages along the international border in Jammu and Samba districts, injuring three civilians.
On the intervening night of September 17 and 18, Pakistan Rangers opened unprovoked firing in Arnia sector and later resorted to mortar shelling.
The night before, several border outposts and villages in Arnia sector were targeted by Pakistani troops. Mortar shells reached Arnia town and about a dozen shells exploded in Arnia bus stand, killing a woman and injuring several others.
On September 16, Pakistani troops targeted Indian border outposts and hamlets along the international border in Jammu district.