Tanda (Akhnoor), January 15
After constantly describing “accidental” mine blasts, which had been injuring and killing Indian soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati (KG) sector of Poonch district, the Indian Army today eventually admitted that they were actually mines planted by the Pakistan Army.

‘Accidental’ mine blasts Nov 17, 2012: A porter Shakeel Ahmed, a resident of Karmara village was injured in a "mine blast" Nov 30: BSF border guard constable Harinder Singh of 135 Battalion sustained injuries near Kirpan post Dec 1: A BSF sub-inspector Kalu Ram of 135 Battalion, who had gone to investigate the mine blast involving constable Harinder Singh, was also injured in a similar explosion Dec 6: Naik Sanjeev Singh of 3 Grenadiers was injured in the same sector Dec 8: Naik Rajeev Kumar of 3 Grenadiers injured in similar explosion near Upper Ridge Salotri post

The Tribune had been regularly reporting about mines planted by terrorists with the help of Pakistani troops inside Indian territory in KG sector. The last such report had appeared in The Tribune on December 9 last year.

None other than the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen KT Parnaik today said that the Indian Army showed photographs of Pakistani mines to their counterparts at the flag meeting in Chakan-da-Bagh yesterday.

“After we lodged a very strong protest against the barbaric act of Pakistani troops (killing of two Indian soldiers), we also protested against flagrant truce violations along the LoC, including KG and Uri sectors. We also told them that they’ve planted mines in our area during firings and also showed them the photographs of Pakistani mines,” said Lt Gen Parnaik.

Pakistani Army officers were given all the evidences of mines, killing of Indian soldiers and mutilation of their bodies but as usual they remained in a denial mode, he added.

Their body language was of reluctance and rigidity, said Lt Gen Parnaik. “They even refused that they ever killed any Indian troops in Mendhar but I am confident that our point of view will be understood. If they mend their ways, good, and if not then we have the right to respond,” he added.

From November 17 to December 8 last year, the KG sector had witnessed five “accidental” mine blasts injuring two soldiers, two border guards and a porter.

The Tribune in August last year had also reported about Pakistan’s SSG commandos indulging in sniper fire to kill Indian soldiers in the KG sector. A border guard PK Mishra and a soldier Harvinder Singh were killed in such sniper fire while four troopers were injured in the KG sector in June last year.

The situation had escalated to such an extent that the Indian Army had to move an artillery battalion from Mendhar to KG sector.