Pakistan Army's support to terror unacceptable: Indian DGMO

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army today told the Pakistan Army that due to their unabated support to armed terrorists who infiltrate across the border and target Indian Army posts, the Indian Army retains the right to “punitively respond” to such acts of aggression from Pakistan. The Indian Army also informed their Pakistani counterparts that civilians have been given permanent locations in the vicinity of Pakistan Army posts and are being used to help terrorists infiltrate into India.

In an unscheduled hotline interaction requested by Pakistan, Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhatt spoke to his counterpart, Maj. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza, at 2 pm today.

The Pakistan DGMO alleged that Indian security forces had resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC). “Lt Gen Bhatt stated that retaliatory firing by Indian troops has only been carried out in response to unabated support given by Pak Army to armed terrorists who infiltrate across the border and target Indian Army posts with heavy caliber weapons. It is in response to such actions that Indian Army troops retaliate,” said a statement issued by the Defence Ministry.


Bhatt clarified that Indian Army always maintains standards of professionalism and does not target civilians. On the contrary Pak Army, has employed civilians at the forward posts and given permission for permanent locations of civilians in the vicinity of Pakistan Army posts. “These civilians have repeatedly been used for gaining information of our locations and providing guides to the terrorists while crossing the LoC,” said the statement.

Bhatt told Mirza that while Indian Army will continue efforts to ensure peace and tranquility on the borders, however, support provided to terrorists while crossing LoC by Pakistan Army is the prime reason for any collateral damage and is attributed to Pakistan Army aiding infiltration across the LC.

Bhatt “reiterated that this support to terrorism by Pak Army is unacceptable and the Indian Army will continue to take all retaliatory measures as well as retain the right to punitively respond to such provocative acts of aggression from Pak side in future too.”