2 Pak soldiers killed in Indian retaliation

TNN Bureau. Updated: 8/15/2018 8:48:05 AM Front Page

Army, BSF offered sweets at LoC, IB

SRINAGAR: Two Pakistani troopers were killed by the Indian Army in response to ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Tangdhar sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district where one own jawan was martyred yesterday.

Indian troops carried out operations last night after the ceasefire violations.

"In retaliatory action to unprovoked ceasefire violations and repeated attempts to facilitate infiltration by Pakistan Army in Tangdhar sector, own troops carried out calibrated operations last night in which two Pakistani soldiers were killed," Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said.

Earlier, an official said the Pakistan troops violated ceasefire by targeting Indian army’s Anil post, Cheetak Post, and Black Rock post with small arms along the LoC at around 7:15 am.

The soldiers manning these posts returned the fire effectively, he said.

The exchange of cross-border firing with small arms was going on when this report has been filed.

On Monday, Sepoy Pushpendra Singh was killed while foiling an infiltration bid that was taking place under the cover of Pakistani firing in Tangdhar sector.

Singh who sustained a bullet injury during the gun battle was immediately administered first aid and admitted to the 92 Base Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

The Army today paid tributes to Singh.

"Army paid befitting tribute to Late Sepoy Pushpendra Singh who made the supreme sacrifice during counter infiltration operations on 13 August, 2018, in Tangdhar Sector of Kupwara district," he said.

At a solemn ceremony at the Badamibagh Cantonment, Corps Commander Lt Gen A K Bhatt led all ranks in paying homage to the soldier, the official said.

"In a show of solidarity, representatives from other security agencies also joined in to pay their last respects to the martyr," he added.

Pushpendra Singh (28), who had joined the Army in 2011, belonged to Khutiya village in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by his wife and a son.

"The mortal remains of the martyr were flown for last rites to his native place, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours," the spokesman said, adding that the Army stood in solidarity with the bereaved family and remained committed to their dignity and well being.

Meanwhile, on the eve of Independence Day celebration, Pakistan Army offered sweets to Indian counterpart along the Line of Control and International Border here and also at Attari-Wagah border.

Tomorrow, the BSF will offer traditional Indian sweets to their Pakistani counterparts.

"Pakistan Army handed over sweets to their Indian counterpart this afternoon at Chakkan da Bagh Trade Point in Poonch district," defence sources here said.

They said that exchange of sweets marked the 14 August, the day Pakistan celebrates as their Independence Day.

On Wednesday, the Indian side will also exchange sweets with them.

Meanwhile, there are reports that BSF and Pakistani Rangers have also exchanged sweets along international border at Octroi Post here.

Pakistani Rangers also offered sweets to the Border Security Force (BSF) today on the occasion of their Independence Day at Attari-Wagah border.

Security personnel of both the sides hugged and shook hands with each other, officials said.

On January 26 this year, the BSF had refused to exchange sweets and greetings with their Pakistani counterparts in the wake of heightened tension between the two nations.


Comment on this Story