Line of Control (Photo : State Department)
The Indian Army said it launched surgical strikes inside Pakistan-controlled Kashmir against Muslim militants with its special forces and heavy artillery fire, and Pakistan responded to this news with a firm denial there was any surgical strike at all.
Pakistan said what occurred was the normal exchange of fire with India along the Line of Control but did admit the loss of two of its soldiers during these firefights.
Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh, Director General of Military Operations of the Indian Army, said the army "conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads" and that "significant casualties have been caused (to the terrorists)."
"Based on very specific and credible information which we received yesterday, that some terrorist teams had positioned themselves at launchpads along the Line of Control, with an aim to carry out infiltration and terrorist strikes in Jammu and Kashmir and various other metros in our country, the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes last night at these launchpads," said Gen. Singh.
"The operations were basically focused to ensure that these terrorists do not succeed in their design of infiltration and carrying out destruction and endangering the lives of the citizens of our country."
Indian media quoted anonymous army officers as saying seven "terror launchpads" were destroyed by army special forces that were "para-dropped" across the LoC. They said multiple terror groups were targeted.
Gen. Singh also said "significant casualties have been suffered by terrorists" during the operations.
He noted there have been at least 20 infiltration attempts from the Pakistan side along the LoC despite India's "persistent urging" to stop its territory from being used by militant groups.
"If India tries to do this again, we will respond forcefully," said Pakistani defense minister Khawaja Asif. "India is doing this only to please their media and public."
The Pakistan Army, however, issued a statement about the Indian Army attacks, saying:
"There has been no surgical strike by India, instead there had been cross border fire initiated and conducted by India which is existential phenomenon. As per rules of engagement same was strongly and befittingly responded by Pakistani troops.
"The notion of surgical strike linked to alleged terrorists bases is an illusion being deliberately generated by Indian to create false effects. This quest by Indian establishment to create media hype by rebranding 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."
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the strikes, saying Pakistan "can thwart any evil design to undermine" its sovereignty.
The surgical strikes, real or not, followed a Sept. 18 attack by Kashmiri Muslim militants on an Indian Army base at the town of Uri in India-administered Kashmir. The early morning attack killed 18 Indian soldiers. All four Kashmiri attackers were also killed. India blamed Pakistan for this attack.
