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2 Pak troops martyred, 5 missing Strong Indian attack in Chhamb area repulsed

MEHMUD AHMED

ISLAMABAD: A Foreign Office spokesman said on Saturday that the Indian troops in the strength of a company (100 persons) crossed the Line of Control near Iftikharabad on Saturday morning but were repelled by Pakistani troops.

He said according to the latest reports two Pakistani soldiers had lost their lives but the invaders suffered heavy casualties in the encounter.

Iftikharabad, formerly known as Chhamb was renamed in 1971 after the commander who led Pakistani troops to a victory in the sector. Maj Gen Iftikhar Janjua, however, lost his life in a helicopter crash later.

A spokesman for the Armed Forces said in addition to two martyr, five Pakistani soldiers were missing. He could not comment on Indian claims that Pakistani losses were heavier, saying that he needed confirmation before making any comments on the question.

Brig Rashid Qureshi, Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations, said the Indians had attacked a small and long-existing Pakistani post between the two channels of Tawi river. The act of "flagrant aggression was preceded by intense Indian mortar fire that damaged Pakistani bunkers," he said.

The attack had started at 3.30 am, while it was still dark and the firing had continued till late in the evening. He said the intensity in the firing, however, had slowed down towards the evening.

The Foreign Office spokesman said Islamabad would be lodging a protest with India, calling upon it to desist from crossing the LoC, and will also bring it to the notice of the UN Observers Group.

He said while Pakistan will exercise restraint but reserves its right of self-defence with its "well-known commitment and determination".

He also called upon the international community to restrain India from escalating tension in the region.

Rashid told a questioner that Pakistan had not lost any territory to the invaders who were ejected by Pakistani troops.

He said the attack was an "extremely serious incident" but so far no contact had been either made on the international border or between the Directors-General of the Military Operations of the two countries.

APP adds: The Foreign Office spokesman said the Indian attack "is part of recurring pattern of intensification of firing across the Line of Control aimed at building up of tensions between the two countries."

According to latest reports, the Indian firing continued and Pakistani forces were taking appropriate action to defend and stabilise the situation.

He called upon India to exhibit reponsibility and refrain from aggresive action which could result in grave consequences.

"It is apparent that India is resorting to such aggressive acts out of frustration arising from India's failure to suppress the indigenous freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people," he said.

Brig Rashid refuted Indian charges that Pakistani troops had launched the attack. "It is absolutely incorrect. Pakistan or Pakistani troops at no stage crossed the Line of Control," he added.

He rejected as ridiculous the Indian's charges that Pakistan had launched attack in Pallanwala area which, far away from LoC.

He said it was obvious that India would throw blame for the attack on Pakistan after having carried out the offensive.

"That's why they have started propaganda very early today blaming Pakistan for the attack."

He said India had been making claims of possessing the bodies of five Pakistani soldiers. "According to our informations these five soldiers were missing but they might have been dragged by Indians while retreating," he added.

He said: "We don't have any idea how many Indian troops were killed or wounded." Acording to India's own confession, he said, two of their soldiers were killed. "But I am quite sure, there are many many more (Indian losses)."

He said Iftikharabad sub-sector has relatively been peaceful in the past. "It was absolutely a well-conceived and pre-planned action on the part of India."

The ISPR spokesman declined to elaborate on the additional measures taken by Pakistan army to counter Indian aggression for security reasons. However, he said: "I can guarantee that such actions would invite all measures (from our side) that are required."

When asked about the situation at the international borders, he said: "there is no change on international borders."

Reuters reports: Foreign Office spokesman Tariq Altaf said, "The Indian attack this morning is part of a recurring pattern of intensification of firing across the Line of Control aimed at building up tension between the two countries."

The rival accounts of the clash, one of the heaviest of recent skirmishes along the flashpoint LOC, were diametrically opposed and even the reported location differed.

India said six Pakistani and two Indian soldiers were killed on the Indian occupied side of Kashmir near Pallanwala in the Akhnoor sector, 32 km (20 miles) north of Jammu.

It said Pakistani troops attempted to capture an Indian post inside Indian occupied Kashmir. An Indian defence spokesman said 10 more Pakistani troops were killed in a subsequent attack on a Pakistani surveillance tower.

But Pakistan said a "company strength" raiding party of Indian troops crossed the LOC in the Iftikharabad sector in the Chhamb area and attacked one of two Pakistani border posts on an islet between two channels of the Tawi river.

"Our troops fought gallantly in self-defence and succeeded in repelling the Indian attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the invading Indian force," Altaf said.

An Indian defence spokesman in Jammu said on Saturday six Pakistani soldiers were killed on the Indian occupied side of Kashmir in an exchange of gunfire at the border.

The spokesman said heavy exchange of fire took place between the two armies.

"They (Paksitani army regulars) made an attempt to capture our Nadiwala post in the Chhamb area in the wee hours today. Our troops rebuffed the assault and killed six of them on the spot on our side," the Indian spokesman said.

"The bodies (of the six) will be handed over to Pakistani authorities when the firing stops in the area," he said.