DGMO warns Pakistan army of retaliatory action

India on Monday sternly asked Pakistan to desist from encouraging terrorists and aiding cross-border infiltration if it wants to restore peace along the border.

The message was conveyed by Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Lt Gen A K Bhatt, to his Pakistani counterpart Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza during an unscheduled telephonic conversation during which the two officers discussed the current situation along the 740-km long Line of Control (LoC). The conversation took place around 10.30 am at the request of the Pakistani DGMO, said a source in the Indian Army.

Lt Gen Bhatt made it clear to Maj Gen Mirza that if the Pakistani army continued to abet infiltration and carry on with cross-border firing, the Indian army would definitely take appropriate retaliatory actions.

“The DGMO conveyed his commitment of ensuring peace and tranquillity, which is contingent on Pakistan army’s intentions and actions. Needless escalations by Pakistan army were also highlighted,” the Indian Army stated.

The second dialogue between the two top military commanders within a month comes in the backdrop of escalating tension along the LoC, which



witnessed intense firing for the better part of the last six months. 

There were 155 ceasefire violations from Pakistan between January 1 and May 31. In comparison, there were 228 ceasefire violations during 2016.On the issue of civilian killings raised by Maj Gen Mirza, Lt Gen Bhatt conveyed that the Indian Army is a professional force and would not harm civilians in any manner.

With rising unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, 65 militants and 19 Indian soldiers have been killed till May. Last week, army chief Gen Bipin Rawat held a review meeting in Srinagar with his commanders.The two DGMOs usually have a telephonic conversation once a week via a hotline.

Lt Gen Bhatt and Maj Gen Mirza last spoke on May 2 when the Indian DGMO warned Pakistan of an “unequivocal response” for the “dastardly and inhuman” act of killing and mutilating the bodies of two Indian soldiers. The ceasefire violation from the Pakistani side, however, continues unabated. 

The last round of ceasefire violation was on June 3, when the Pakistan army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars in the Poonch sector.