Pakistan rejects India's claims of cross-border raid killing 3 troops
What's the story
The Pakistan Army has rejected claims that Indian forces crossed the Line of Control and killed three Pakistani troops in a revenge operation. Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor termed reports of the Indian action "false propaganda." He also rejected India's concerns over the treatment of Kulbhushan Jadhav's family during their Pakistan visit. Here's more about it.
25 Dec 2017
In cross-LoC raids, Indian Army kills three Pakistani soldiers
On December 25, the Indian Army carried out raids across the LoC in Poonch, J&K, killing at least three Pakistani soldiers. The first phase was an ambush with IEDs, followed by firing with machine guns and assault rifles. It was described as "localized tactical level operation", not "surgical strike". This came two days after four Indian Army personnel were killed in Pakistani firing.
Statement
Pak Army calls 2016 surgical strikes "false propaganda"
"India recently claimed that 10 of their soldiers came in Pakistan's territory and killed Pakistani soldiers," Ghafoor said. He said this is all "false propaganda" meant to take the focus away from Kashmir. He also termed the 2016 Indian Army "surgical strike" across the LoC as "false propaganda." "You cannot lure us into such unprofessional undertakings," he added.
Details
Ghafoor hits out at India's criticism over Jadhav's family's visit
"India always looks to reduce the relevance of any gestures that Pakistan makes. However, every effort that anti-Pakistan elements make, we will counter," Ghafoor said. "Even if we do something as a good gesture, the Indian media will colour it in a negative light. We allowed Jadhav to meet his family as a responsible state," he added.
Kashmir issue
Ghafoor reiterates Pakistan's support for Kashmiris
Ghafoor also accused India of being responsible for a record number of ceasefire violations this year. He believes India's cross-border firing is meant to distract Pakistani forces from their counter-terrorism operations along the country's western border. He reaffirmed Pakistan's "moral, political, and diplomatic support" for Kashmiris. He also rejected America's allegations of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan.