Pakistan dismisses Indian claims of 'surgical strikes' as two soldiers embrace martyrdom at LoC

MUZAFFARABAD/RAWALPINDI: Pakistan on Thursday denied claims made by the Indian Army of carrying out surgical strikes across the Line of Control. The ISPR said unprovoked cross-border Indian firing resulted in the martyrdom of two Pakistani soldiers.

There has been no surgical strike by India, instead there had been cross border fire initiated and conducted by India which is existential phenomenon, the ISPR said.

"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," the ISPR said.

Watch: What are surgical strikes?

Two Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom when Indian forces resorted to unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday morning, the ISPR confirmed.

Unprovoked firing at the LoC in Bhimber, Hotspring, Kel, and Lipa sectors began at 2:30 AM and continued till 8:00 AM, ISPR said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lauded the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army. In a statement issued on Thursday he said, "Our wish for peace should not be mistaken for weakness. Pakistan Army is fully capable of defending its borders."

Read: PM Nawaz condemns Indian aggression at LOC

Pakistan only responding to Indian provocation: DG ISPR

Pakistan is acting responsibly despite provocations by India, Director General Inter-service Public Relation Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said in a 12-minute talk over the phone with Geo News. 

Denying Indian claims of a surgical strike on Pakistan, DG ISPR said, “There was only one incident last night.”

He dismissed Indian media claims that two Indian paratroopers had entered Pakistan. “How is it possible he said. An Indian official [DGMO] held a press conference today where he made no mention of the incident. This is all a media gimmick.”

He said Indian allegations over Pakistan’s involvement in the Uri attack were fabricated. “India has installed an anti-filtration grid at its side of the LOC which is three to four kilometer deep. There is also a three layer fence which would electrocute even a bird which flies past it. Apart from this they have check posts and troops on patrol. Are they trying to say all of these measures failed and infiltration occurred from across the border?”

Watch: DG ISPR Interview with Geo News                     Watch: India’s anti-infiltration mechanism at LoC

Pakistan Air Force vigilant, ready to combat external aggression

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is vigilant at all times and ready to combat any external aggression, a PAF spokesperson said in response to the unprovoked firing by Indian forces at the Line of Control.  The PAF will protect Pakistan’s airspace at any cost, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson further said India’s claim of conducting a surgical strike was based on a fabricated lie.

Read: Pakistan Navy to thwart any aggression               Read: Firing by Indian forces was pre-planned: Khawaja Asif

Pakistan's PM, Army chief discuss situation at LoC

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif spoke over the telephone on Thursday and discussed the situation at the LoC. According to sources, the Army chief apprised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the firing incidents at the LoC.

General Raheel Sharif was quoted by sources telling the prime minister that Indian claims of surgical strikes were baseless and the Pakistan Army gave a befitting response to Indian provocation and firing across the LoC.  The Army chief further said the armed forces were ready to protect the country.  

Sources further added that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the entire nation had high morale and was committed to defending the country.

Read: National Security Advisor briefs Prime Minister over LoC situation

Of late, tensions between Pakistan and India soared high over the use of brute force by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir. So far, over 110 innocent Kashmiris have been martyred as occupying Indian forces used force to quell protests in the valley that initiated after the killing of Kashmiri youth leader Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), highlighted the worst human rights abuses in the Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) and called for an immediate cessation to Indian atrocities.

The speech apparently fumed the neighbouring arch-rival as its top leadership reacted to it with baseless allegations and threats.

In her address with the UNGA, Indian minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj dismissed UN's Kashmir resolution and reiterated the age-long rhetoric against Pakistan.

A day after, PM Modi threatened Pakistan with water terrorism by hinting at blocking the flow of Indus water into Pakistan.