UN mission finds no proof of Indian 'surgical strike' claims

ISLAMABAD: In what is being seen as further evidence of the baselessness of Indian claims of a cross-border surgical strike, the United Nations said its mission tasked with monitoring the ceasefire line between India and Pakistan "has not directly observed" any firing along the LoC.

The UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) "has not directly observed any firing across the LoC related to the latest incident," Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon told reporters on Saturday.

When asked how the UNMOGIP did not observe any firing despite claims by India of surgical strikes across the Line of Control, he reiterated that UNMOGIP has not "directly observed" any of the firing.

"They are obviously aware of the reports of these presumed violations and are talking to the relevant concerned authorities," he was quoted as saying.

He said the UN observer group was "aware" of reports of "presumed ceasefire violations" and is in contact with concerned authorities for further information.

"The Secretary General also recalls the role played by UNMOGIP, which is deployed to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the strict observance of the 1971 ceasefire to report thereon to the Secretary General," he said.

On the other hand, a Japanese magazine issued a report ruling out the possibility of surgical strikes at the LoC, in the presence of Pakistan's missile system. "Pakistan's air surveillance is also highly advanced," it stated.

The report further said that Indian military is not capable of conducting surgical strikes in the first place, for it lacks the defence equipment required in such operations.