The Army says it frustrated a major attempt by a Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT) to hit a forward post along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir's Naugam division on Sunday. Two people likely to be Pakistan soldiers have been killed.
The intruder had help. They were assisted by heavy fire from Pakistani posts, from high-caliber armaments like mortars and rocket launchers, the Army said today. And they attempted to move by exploiting thick jungles close to the LoC.
There's more. The Army said the intruders wore battle dresses like Pakistani customers and approved stores with Pakistani markings. Some were seen in Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and old-pattern Indian Army dresses.
Search operations confirmed the removal of "two likely Pakistan soldiers" and resulted in "the revival of a large cache of warlike stores". A few escaped across the LoC, "taking benefit of the Pakistani firing and adverse weather and visibility conditions".
"Army establishment have commended the courage and urgency of the alert troops. The Indian Army's decision to keep a strict vigil along the LoC and defeat all such wicked designs of Pakistan will continue to remain firm and consistent."
"From the recovery," the Army said, "it was estimated that they planned to carry out a horrible attack on the Indian Army forward post in Naugam sector."
"The alertness and pliability of the…troops, who engaged and neutralized the intruders…, eliminated a likely treacherous attack on the Army forward posts along the Line of Control on the eve of New Year."
"We will ask Pakistan to take back the mortal remains of dead likely Pakistani soldiers since Pakistan did provide full covering fire support to this intruder," the Army said.
