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After India’s counter-offensive following the mutilation of a soldier’s body, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called up his Indian counterpart.
India’s Ministry of Defence has put out a statement saying that Pakistan has requested DGMO-level talks.
He added that retaliatory firing by Indian troops has only been carried out targeting places from where Pakistan has initiated ceasefire violation.
He further raised the issue of infiltration attempts by terrorists from Pakistan’s side and the mutilation of the Indian soldier’s body.
The statement released also said that “Pakistani DGMO was exhorted to exercise strict control on their troops to refrain from any nefarious activities.” However, any ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts will be appropriately responded to.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday described as "naked aggression" the "unprovoked firing" by India across the Line of Control (LoC) that resulted in the death of four civilians and three soldiers and said India has failed to comprehend the gravity of the situation.
"In fact, India is trying to divert the attention of the international community from the grave human rights violations and atrocities being committed by the Indian security forces in Kashmir," he said.
Dawn quoted Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) as saying that three Pakistan Army soldiers were killed in an exchange of fire with Indian troops near the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday.
The statement also said that seven Indian soldiers were confirmed dead in retaliatory fire. The ISPR added that the exchange of fire between Pakistani and Indian troops is is still on.
Pakistan’s Army Captain has reportedly been killed in the massive counter-offensive launched by India at the Line of Control (LoC) a day after an Indian soldier’s body was mutilated. The Indian Army sought retribution for the “cowardly act”.
Three other Pakistani Army men were killed in the firing, according to reports by India Today.
The Indian Army paid tribute to Gunner Manoj Kumar Kushwah, and Riflemen Prabhu Singh and Shashank Kumar Singh who were killed in action along LoC in Machhil.
Indian shelling across the frontier into Pakistani-controlled Kashmir hit a bus, killing at least nine people and wounding 11, Pakistani officials said, as tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours simmers.
Indian troops attacked the bus “with small and big arms” in the town of Lawat (00 km northeast of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-held Kashmir) senior police official Jamil Mir told Reuters.
Pakistan's military media wing, ISPR, said in a statement that seven people were killed and seven wounded.
Indian officials did not comment on the deaths.
Indian Army on Wednesday launched a counter-offensive against Pakistan along the LoC, a day after three Indian soldiers were killed.
The offensive comes hours after the Indian Army vowed “heavy retribution” to the attack on its soldiers.
Brigadier, Northern Command, S Gotra said Indian Army launched a counter-offensive along the LoC in retaliation to Tuesday's attack in Machhil sector of Kashmir.
Indian Army posts are responding strongly and giving a befitting reply, Defence PRO Manish Mehta said.
In another instance of ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops opened fire, targeting Indian posts in Balakot sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
Violations in Bhimber Gali, Krishna Ghati and Nowshera sectors have also been reported. The Indian Army reportedly retaliated strongly to Pakistani soldiers opening fire.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh lodged protest over killing and mutilation of the three soldier with Pakistan.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh on Tuesday over ceasefire violations.
Pakistan's Foreign Office released a statement rejecting Indian Army’s claim that an Indian soldier has been mutilated on the Line of Control (LoC) in Machhil.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar condemned the killing of the three soldiers and the mutilation of one and called the act “cowardly”.
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh hit out at Pakistan after the killings and said it’s acting like terrorists do by mutilating the soldier’s body. He added that it should be declared a terrorist state.
Three Indian soldiers were killed in action along the Line of Control (LoC) in Machhil sector, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday. Firing and shelling was on in the district throughout Tuesday morning.
Body of one of the soldiers was mutilated and the Indian Army vowed “heavy retribution” for the “cowardly act”. The Army also said that the counter-infiltration party had been attacked. Later media reports said that all three bodies had been mutilated.
Three Indian soldiers who were killed in the incident – Gunner Manoj K Kushwah from Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Riflemen Prabhu Singh from Rajasthan and Shashank K Singh from UP.
There have been other shocking mutilation incidents in the past by Pakistani perpetrators.
Earlier on Tuesday, in a “swift operation” by the Indian Army at Hajin, Bandipore, two terrorists were killed. The operation had then been terminated and there were no casualties.
Apart from weapons, new Rs 2,000 notes were also recovered from the slain terrorists.
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