Pak deploys 626 Artillery Regiment near LoC, villages evacuated

Mangaloretoday/ITV

Jammu, Jan 15: Reports from across the Line of Control reveal that the Pakistani Army, fearing retaliation from the Indian counterparts, has deployed its 626 Artillery Regiment in Pak Occupied Kashmir close to the Line of Control and several villages have been evacuated for the purpose. Reports said, in view of heightened activity across the border, Indian Border Security Force troops have been asked to stay on high alert across the Rajasthan and Gujarat border. 

 

 

Indian army is also in a state of high alert across the international bounday and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, with the troops maintaining high vigil.

With Indian political leaders clamouring for swift retaliation against Pakistan, the morale of Indian Army jawans despite the mutilation of two martyred jawans by Pakistani soldiers. 

Lt Gen K T Parnaik, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, is incensed over the brutal act by Pakistan, particularly because he is the Colonel of the Rajasthan Rifles, to which both Lance Naik Hemraj and Lance Naik Sudhakar belonged from the 13 battalion. 

Reports said, Lt Gen Parnaik, normally an articulate and spirited army officer, was seething when he visited the site of incident on January 9 to check whether the bodies of jawans were mutilated.

The gruesome killing and the massive publicity has embarassed the Rajasthan Rifles, and the regiment is itching for retaliation.


We have our plans, we will not act in haste or anger, says Northern Army commander Lt Gen Parnaik


India today accused Pakistan of committing three ceasefire violations after a Brigadier-level flag meeting between the two countries but said it will “not act in haste or anger”.

 

Lt Gen K T Parnaik, General-Officer-in Command (Northern Command), said the Indian Army has a “lot of options” and is watching the developments closely.

However, he said he does not think that a situation of war exists or will happen in future. “It is not good for Pakistan and we also don’t desire it,” he told a press conference.

Parnaik described the beheading of an Indian soldier was not just a provocation but a “grave provocation” and said the country reserves its right to strike at the time and place of its choosing.

“After the flag meeting yesterday, Pakistan still remained adamant, arrogant and not ready to accept anything.  We told them we will continue to respect ceasefire but not if we are provoked.

“...Pakistan is always on denial mode, it always fabricates things...Even after the brigadier-level flag meeting, there were three ceasefire violations,” he said.

During the meeting, Parnaik said, Indian officer vehemently protested the beheading of an Indian soldier and also showed photographs of landmines placed by Pakistani troops on forward areas inside Indian territory.

“We accused them of carrying out the barbaric attack, we insisted that the head (of Lance Naik Hemraj) be returned. We drew their attention to the frequent firing in the area,” he said.

Parnaik said the Pakistani Brigadier, who was identified as Faizal, read out from a prepared text and denied everything.

“The text which he read out was a total denial (of India’s charges). It was rigid. It said we (Pak) is not rigid but you (India) is,” he said.

“At the end of the meeting, they were as arrogant and adamant; not ready to admit anything. We do not believe in reacting in hate and anger. We have our plans. We will react in time,” he said.

He also said Pakistan has continuously tried to infiltrate terrorists from Uri district.