In another barbaric attack, two Indian security personnel were killed and their bodies mutilated by Pakistan army this morning along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Border action teams (BATs) of Pakistan army sneaked about 250 metres into Indian territory along the LoC and mutilated the bodies of Indian security personnel, Indian Army said, while warning that such "despicable act" will be "appropriate responded."
"Pak Army carried out unprovoked rocket and mortar firing on two forward posts on the line of control in Krishna Ghati Sector. Simultaneously a BAT action was launched on a patrol operating in between the two posts," Army's Northern Command said in a statement.
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"In an unsoldierly act by the Pak Army the bodies of two of our soldiers in the patrol were mutilated. Such despicable act of Pakistan Army will be appropriately responded," It added.
"They have been to an extent beheaded," an army officer said.
"It was a pre-planed operation of Pakistan army. They had pushed in BATs over 250 metres deep inside Indian territory and set up ambushes for a long period to carry out the attack," a senior army officer said.
The deceased have been identified as Head Constable Prem Sagar of 200th Battalion of the BSF and Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh of 22 Sikh Regiment of the army.
Constable Rajinder Singh of the BSF battalion suffered injuries in the attack.
Mutilation an act of extreme form of barbarism: Jaitley
Pakistan killing two soldiers and mutilating their bodies is an extreme form of barbarism and the armed forces will react to it appropriately, India said today while strongly condemning the "inhuman" act.
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said the whole country has full confidence and faith in its armed forces and that the sacrifice of the two soldiers will not go in vain, an assertion seen as a warning to Pakistan.
"Two of our soldiers in the Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch have been killed and their bodies mutilated by our neighbour. This is a reprehensible and an inhuman act. Such attacks don't even take place during war, let alone during peace time. Bodies of soldiers being mutilated is an extreme form of barbaric act," the defence minister said.
Pak Army denies mutilating bodies of Indian soldiers
Pakistan Army today denied that its special forces team sneaked 250 metres across the Line of Control and beheaded two Indian security personnel, which India termed as a "barbaric act".
"Pakistan Army did not commit any ceasefire violation on the Line of Control or a BAT action in the Buttal sector (India's Krishna Ghati sector) as alleged by India. Indian blame of mutilating Indian soldiers' bodies is also false," a statement from the Pakistan Army's Inter-Services Public Relations wing said.
"Pakistan Army is a highly professional force and shall never disrespect a soldier, even Indian," it said.
Army chief Gen Rawat in Kashmir
General Bipin Rawat reached Srinagar today and took stock of the security situation.
Accompanied by the Northern Army Commander and the Srinagar-based Corps Commander, the army chief visited Panzgam garrison and was briefed on the terror attack which took place on April 27, an army official said.
Gen Rawat "took stock of the enhanced security measures," he added.
The Army Chief was briefed by the Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu on the prevailing situation in Kashmir.
Gen Rawat appreciated the synergy being shown among all security agencies and complimented the troops for undertaking operations with firmness and resolve, the official said.
The army chief also visited the Army Base Hospital in Badamibagh Cantonment where he enquired about the health of injured soldiers and wished them all a speedy recovery.
Gen Rawat impressed upon everyone to continue their positive engagement with the people and provide them assistance when required, the official added.
Seventh ceasefire violation by Pak this month
Pakistani troops breached the truce along the Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri sectors seven times last month.
They violated the ceasefire in Poonch sector on April 19 and shelled mortars on forward posts in Noushera sector on April 17.
Pakistan had resorted to firing in the same sector on April 8, in Poonch district on April 5, in Bhimbher Gali sector on April 4 and twice on April 3 in Balakote and (Digwar) Poonch sectors.
Here are in instances of ceasefire violation by Pakistan this month so far:
On April 19, Pakistani troops had resorted to mortar shelling and firing on Indian posts along LoC in the same area.
On April 8, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir by resorting to firing on forward posts.
On April 4, Pakistani Army fired mortar shells on Indian Army posts along the LoC in Bhimbher Gali sector of Rajouri district.
On April 3, Pakistani troops had shelled mortar bombs on forward posts in Balakote sector of Rajouri district.
In 2016, 228 instances of ceasefire violations along the LoC were reported while there were 221 instances of ceasefire violations along International Border (IB).
