In what could further strain ties between India and Pakistan, India Tuesday said five of its soldiers were killed in an ambush along defacto border with Pakistan. However, Pakistan has said no such incident took place.
New Delhi, Aug 6/Nationalturk- At least five Indian army soldiers have reportedly been killed in an ambush along the Line of Control (defacto border between India and with Pakistan) in Indian Kashmir on Tuesday. Pakistan army has denied its involvement and said no such incident took place.
“I Was briefed early this morning about news that 5 Indian army men were killed on the LoC. My heartfelt condolences to their next of kin,” Indian administered Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on his Twitter account.
According to media reports, the Indian army men were said to have been on a regular patrol on sensitive Line of Control (LoC) in Chakandabad area of Poonch. “One of the soldiers is said to have escaped the attack by hiding behind a bush and his statement will be considered crucial”.
Indian army sources said 15-20 Pakistani soldiers aided by militants attacked the Sarla post on the Indian side of the LoC in Poonch.
“The Pakistani Armymen reportedly intruded 500 metres into the Indian side of LoC past midnight and attacked Indian patrol party. The Pakistani soldiers inflicted five casualties on Indian soldiers. Five soldiers of 21 Bihar Unit were killed,” they said.
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The incident has taken place at a time when the nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan are planning to revive the stalled peace process between the two countries.
“Such incidents cast a doubt over the Pakistan government’s intention regarding its ties with India. These incidents don’t help efforts to normalise or even improve relations with Pakistan and call in to question the Pakistan Government’s recent overtures,” Indian administered Kashmir’s CM tweeted.
India’s Minister of State for Home R P N Singh told reporters in New Delhi that killing of five Indian soldiers is an extremely unfortunate incident. “If Pakistan wants to have better relations with India this is not the way,” he said.
No such incident took place: Pakistan army
Pakistan Army’s Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) strongly contradicted the Indian claims and said there was no incident of firing on the LoC.
“Pakistan army soldiers were not involved in deadly attack on Indian patrol along LoC in Poonch leading to casualties on Indian side. There was firing incident on LoC,” an official of ISPR said.
He further said there was no such incident whatsoever.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
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