Army warns Pak troops for violating ceasefire at LoC

Warning Pakistan that it was making a "serious mistake" by violating ceasefire along Line of Control (LoC), a senior Army officer today said a befitting reply would be given with "full force" against Border Action Team (BAT) attacks.

"You (Pakistan) are making a serious mistake (with regard to ceasefire violations and BAT attacks) -- do not do it," General Officer Commanding (GOC) 25 Infantry Div, Maj General V P Singh told reporters here.

He was answering a volley of questions as to what strong message he wants to convey to Pakistan with regard to increase in ceasefire violations, cross border firing and BAT attacks on forward Indian posts along LoC in Poonch.

"...it is not going to affect, deter us, or weaken our resolve," he said.

Regarding Army's strategy as to whether India wants to take revenge for BAT attacks engineered by Pakistan, Gen Singh said, "As far as BAT action is concerned, we are absolutely aware what kind of response it is going to be -- that response will be delivered."

"It will be delivered in our own time and at the place of our own choice and with full force, that you shall see," he said.

"It is a military matter -- as and when the response is delivered, you will see," he said, adding Indian troops will give "a befitting reply to Pakistan with full force".

Gen Singh said firing and ceasefire violations were going on for past 10-15 days.

The Defence Minister and the Army Chief have given clear directions that violation of ceasefire or any other act of infiltration from across LoC will be met resolutely with power and full force.

"As far as I am concerned, those directions are with me -- we are responding and retaliating as per the requirements with full force," Gen Singh said.

He said the Army Chief had also said the force was free to reply and respond to BAT attacks.

"As per opportunity and situation, what is to be done -- everybody knows it and reply will be given accordingly," he said.

The GOC said, "BAT action is tactical operation conducted stealthily by a group of Pakistani soldiers and militants... They had sneaked 400 metres into Indian territory, attacked an Indian patrol and killed five soldiers."

He said some 300 militants have been desperately trying to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir for past eight months as per the intelligence reports.