Surgical strike against Pakistan recorded on drone camera by Indian Army; government to decide whether to release footage
Drones and other cameras recorded the offensive against terrorists in Azad Kashmir (Azad Kashmir) in the wee hours of Thursday, September 29.
New Delhi, September 29:
The surgical strike carried out by India against Pakistan was recorded on camera by the Indian Army, reports NDTV Managing Editor Barkha Dutt. Drone cameras recorded the offensive against terrorists in Azad Kashmir (Azad Kashmir) in the wee hours of Thursday. The operation began at 12.30 am and ended at 4.30 am IST on September 29. “The surgical strikes in Azad Kashmir that were carried out by India last night were recorded on cameras; the government will decide whether and when to release the footage, including some obtained through drones, said top sources,” writes Barkha Dutt, adding, “The strikes, which included para commandos and helicopters, are India’s first direct military response to the attack in Uri which left 18 soldiers dead. Four terrorists from Pakistan attacked the base on September 18 with AK-47s and grenades.” She also tweeted about Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore‘s statement on the issue, “Very IMP point by @Ra_THORe : “this was an Anti Terror Operation not military action &, Azad Kashmir is part of India, we have not violated anything”
The Indian Army went deep inside the Line of Control (LoC), about 3 km as reported, to counter and kill terror launchpads. The operation killed about 35 to 40 terrorists in seven terror camps, say unofficial reports. ”Significant casualties have been caused to terrorists and those trying to shield them. We don’t have a plan to further conduct such strikes. India has spoken to Pakistan,” Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) said. Even after this announcement, Pakistan was in denial and said the surgical strike never happened rather it was cross-firing. But Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Shariflater said that their silence on the issue doesn’t mean that they will not retaliate. This comes days after the Uri attack and alleged F-16s flying in Pakistan to show their preparation for war against India.
Here is what DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said in an official statement on the surgical strike by India against Pakistan to combat terrorism:
“
It has been a matter of serious concern that there has been continuing and increasing infiltration by terrorists across Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. This is reflected, amongst others, in the terrorist attacks on 11 and 18 September 16 in Punch and Uri respectively. Almost 20 infiltration attempts have also been foiled by the Army at or close to the Line of Control during this year.
During these terrorist attacks and infiltration attempts, we have recovered various stores including GPS and items that clearly indicate their origins in Pakistan. Furthermore, captured terrorists hailing from Pakistan or Pakistan Occupied Kashmir have confessed to their training and arming in Pakistan or territory under its control. The matter had been taken up at highest diplomatic levels and through military channels. India has also offered consular access to these apprehended terrorists for Pakistan to verify their confessions. Furthermore, we had proposed that fingerprints and DNA samples of terrorists killed in Punch and Uri could be made available to Pakistan for investigation.
Despite our persistent urging that Pakistan respect its January 2004 commitment for not allowing its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India, there has been no let up in infiltration and terrorist actions from across the Line of Control. If damage was limited, this was primarily due to the efforts of our soldiers deployed in our multi-tiered counter-infiltration grid that has been effective in neutralizing infiltrating terrorists. The Indian Armed Forces have been extremely vigilant in the face of this continuing threat.
Based on receiving specific and credible inputs that some terrorist teams had positioned themselves at launch pads along Line of Control to carryout infiltration and conduct terrorist strikes inside Jammu and Kashmir and in various metros in other states, the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes at several of these launch pads to pre-empt infiltration by terrorists. The operations were focussed on ensuring that these terrorists do not succeed in their design to cause destruction and endanger the lives of our citizens.
During these counter terrorist operations significant casualties were caused to terrorists and those providing support to them. The operations aimed at neutralizing terrorists have since ceased. We do not have any plans for further continuation. However, the Indian Armed Forces are fully prepared for any contingency that may arise.”
