New Delhi: The Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) told his Pakistani counterpart on Saturday evening that there appeared to be a “disconnect” between the Pakistan Army headquarters which reiterates its desire for peace and the actions of Pakistan Army troops along the LoC who resort to heavy firing without provocation at the LoC, adding that the Pakistan Army should “resolve this existent credibility gap”.
The Pakistan Army DGMO, who had requested for the conversation that lasted about 20 minutes, however alleged that the Indian Army had resorted in unprovoked firing. Indian Army DGMO Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhatt however told his Pakistani counterpart that the Indian Army was only engaging in retaliatory firing in response to the Pakistani firing, while making it clear that India “retained the right to punitively respond” to Pakistani provocation.
“In an unscheduled hotline interaction, the Indian Army DGMO spoke to his counterpart at 17.00 hours today. The Pakistan Army DGMO alleged that Indian security forces had resorted to unprovoked firing and had targeted civilians along the LoC opposite the Indian Poonch sector. The Indian Army DGMO emphatically stated that retaliatory firing by Indian troops has only been carried out in response to unprovoked and repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops,” the Army said.
“The DGMO further exhorted Pakistan Army DGMO to resolve this existent credibility gap to ensure that peace and tranquillity is maintained along the LoC. He clarified that the Indian Army always maintains impeccable standards of professionalism and does not target civilians in any manner,” the Indian Army DGMO added.
