Pak violations show its longing for areas lost in ’71 war: Army

The spurt in ceasefire violations since last month by Pakistan in the Nangi Tikri area of Mendhar Sector seems to have nothing to do with infiltration attempts.

The Army believes that its action stems from the hurt feelings of Pakistan troops that lost some of the dominating heights on the LoC in the 1971 war. Thanks to the terrain at Nangi Tikri and the distance there between the LoC and the hinterland, it has never been Pakistan's favourite route of infiltration.

Lt General K T Parnaik, General Officer Commanding, Northern Command, said, "In one of the ceasefire violations in Nangi Tikri area of Krishna Ghati sub sector, there had not been any infiltration bids. This area does not help infiltration. It has only the emotional aspect with Pakistan troops that they had lost it to India."

He pointed out that strategically Krishna Ghati sub-sector is the access area to Kashmir Valley range. "While their side (Pakistan) has dense jungle, the area on our side is steep climb and barren," he added.

On the spurt in ceasefire violations in Uri, the Northern Army Commander said a nullah that starts from Pakistan's Kalsi post has been the shortest route to Uri. "It has been the most favoured infiltration route with terrorists in the past also as Pakistan troops occupy the heights," he said.

However, the "fair amount of deployment'' by the Army in the area has thwarted many infiltration attempts forcing the Pak troops to fire at civilian areas in Uri. Three civilians were killed last month when Pak mortar shells landed in the civilian areas.

Pakistan had lost two jawans at this post on January 6 and two days thereafter, its troops taking advantage of fog and dense forests, ambushed an Indian patrol in Mendhar killing two Indian soldiers in a 30-minute-long long gun battle. However, before returning to their side, they mutilated the bodies of both the deceased soldiers and even beheaded one of them leading to escalation of tension between the two countries.

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