Amid the rising number of infiltrations and ceasefire violations after surgical strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir last month, the Army today said it was prepared to deal with any misadventure from across the LoC by Pakistani troops or terrorists.
"Along the LoC, our preparedness is of the highest degree. The Indian Army is ready to deal with any misadventure from across the LoC, whether it is by regulars or otherwise," General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based 15 corps Lt Gen Satish Dua told reporters here.
He said there has been a spurt in infiltration attempts from across the LoC, but the Army foiled most of these bids as is evident from the encounters taking place near the LoC.
"I do admit that some infiltration has taken place, but the encounters along the LoC and the number of militants eliminated shows the preparedness of the Army," he said.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said yesterday that the Indian Army was giving a befitting reply to ceasefire violations, a day after a jawan was killed in firing by Pakistani troops.
"Ceasefire violations have taken place in hundreds for the last five-six years...Check out the figures. The only difference is that if they do it now, we give a befitting reply," he said.
An Indian Army jawan was on Sunday killed as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire twice along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.
A senior Army officer said yesterday that there have been over 25 ceasefire violations along the LoC since the surgical strikes by Indian Army in PoK on September 29 to dismantle terror launching pads.
Gen Dua refused to comment on the surgical strikes by the Army in PoK last month, saying the armed force and the political leadership has already said whatever was to be said about it.
"I do not have any different point of view," he added. Asked if there was a trust deficit between the Army and the Kashmiri youth, Gen Dua said while there were some misguided youths who take part in protests, the majority were with the armed forces.
"Recently, one of our vehicles met with an accident and our jawans were trapped inside the vehicle. It was the local Kashmiri youths who extricated the jawans.
"We have conducted some anti-militancy operations recently and the youths have not indulged in stone-pelting after the purpose of the operation was explained to them," he said.
