Indian armed forces conducted surgical strikes on Wednesday night and caused “significant casualties” to infiltrators and terrorists who attempt to gain access to Indian territory, the government has said.
In a joint news conference by the Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and the Ministry of External Affairs, the Singh announced that the armed forces had completed their operations but were prepared to face any contingency.
Singh also said that “significant casualties” had been inflicted on the terrorists and those who supported them. He said that the armed forces had received “specific and credible information” about the attempt to infiltrate at launchpads at the Line of Control.
The intention was to launch terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and metros in India.
ANI reported on the locations of the attacks:
Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations says Indian offensive carried out in Bhimber, Hotspring, Kel & Lipa sectors, on Pak's side of LoC
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
“The Indian armed forces conducted surgical strikes on these launch pad and ensured that they don’t cause harm to Indians in Jammu and Kashmir,” Singh said. Although the operations had been completed, he said that the armed forces were prepared for any contingency.
Singh also said that the “continuing and increased” infiltration attempts across the LoC were a “matter of serious concern”. Almost 20 such attempts had been foiled by the armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
“In January 2004, Pakistan had promised not to let its soil be used for anti-India activities. But that did not happen,” Singh said.
In the wake of the Uri and Poonch attacks the Indian government had offered to send DNA and fingerprint samples of the terrorists killed in those operations for their investigation. India had given consular access to every Pakistani terrorist.
“Despite its promise, there has been no let-up in infiltration,” Singh said.
Then, they had recovered several items such as GPS and stores which had Pakistani markings. The captured terrorists from Pakistan or Pakistan Occupied Kashmir had confessed to received training from Pakistan.
Following the announcement, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief said:
#FLASH We condemn this attack, our desire for peace should not be interpreted as our weakness, says Pak PM Nawaz Sharif - Pak Media
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
We are ready for the safety and defence of our country, says Pak PM Nawaz Sharif - Pak Media (on surgical strikes by Indian Army)
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
However, Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations denied that surgical strikes had taken place, reported ANI.
Pak's ISPR: Notion of surgical strike linked to alleged terrorists bases is illusion deliberately generated by India to create false effects
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
Pakistan Airforce says "this (by Indian Army) was not a surgical strike, we are alert for any eventuality": Pakistan Media
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
ANI reported that the President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, former prime minister Manmohan singh and Jammu and Kahmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and and Jammu and Kashmir Governor Narinder Nath Vohra have been briefed.
#FLASH President, Vice President, Former PM Manmohan Singh, J&K Governor, CM J&K briefed on the surgical strikes by the Indian Army.
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
ANI also reported that the government has called an all-party meeting at 4pm to discuss the issue.
#FLASH: Government calls an all party meeting at 4pm today after Indian Army conducts surgical strikes in Pak territory.
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
According to reports, Home Minister Rajnath Singh briefed all the Chief Ministers on the details of the strikes.