India hiding casualties from cross-border fire: Pakistan Army

The Pakistani Army on Saturday said it was certain it had caused casualties on the Indian side of the border in response to cross-border firing by Indian troops that killed two Pakistani soldiers, an official said here.

Briefing journalists in Pakistani side of Jammu and Kashmir, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa said the Indian army was not accepting the loss of lives at their end.

"We are certain they have suffered casualties. But why they are not admitting to this is a question which needs to be put to them," he said.

Pakistan Army took journalists to the Line oof Control (LoC) at Baghsir, 20 km from Bhimber, to show the situation on ground. According to DG ISPR, journalists had been invited for a press briefing so the "Indian lies could be revealed".

DG ISPR stressed that while Pakistan has brought journalists to the LoC and is showing them the situation on ground, India is not allowing the same access to its own people which is suspicious.

Bajwa said war was not in anyone's interest. He said that Pakistani troops had mounted a befitting response to Indian firing along the LoC early on Saturday. He once again rejected India's statement of having carried out surgical strikes in Pakistani territory as "false and concocted".

Bajwa added "we will do whatever we can to protect our land. No one should be mistaken we are ready to respond anywhere."

The DG further said that the area where the surgical strikes had taken place was such that infiltration by Indian forces was impossible and the area is monitored in such a way that even movement of wildlife does not go undetected.

He denied Indian claims that paratroopers had entered Pakistan soil. "You have all heard that paratroopers landed in Pakistan. But where did they go then?" he said, adding that the Pakistan Army would not let anyone infiltrate and escape.

He also explained that choppers create enough sound to be detected and any attempt to land in the valley would amplify the sound further.

The DG stressed that choppers were on standby and if journalists wished he would fly them to any of the five stations India claims it attacked and journalists could meet the troops and even meet the population so they can see the truth for themselves.

Tensions have soared between the two nuclear-armed adversaries over Jammu and Kashmir and an attack on Indian army's brigade headquarters in Uri.

India on Thursday said it had carried out surgical strikes on terrorists launch pads across LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan, however, has denied any such strike has taken place on its soil.

The Indian army in a statement said, "one soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles has inadvertently crossed over to the Pakistan side of the Line of Control".

--IANS

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