The surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) were precise and conducted at a frenetic pace but the army officer, who led the daredevil mission, says that the return was the most difficult part and bullets fired by the enemy soldiers were so close that these were whistling past the ears.

The Army Major speaks about the stunning mission in a new book being brought out on the first anniversary of surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

The officer is referred to as Major Mike Tango in the book, titled &quot;India&#39;s Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes&quot;.

The Army had decided to use soldiers from the units that had suffered losses in the Uri attack for the elaborate revenge mission.

A Ghatak platoon was formed and soldiers from the two units that had lost men were roped in to man border posts and provide crucial terrain intelligence and support to the mission that lay ahead.

&quot;Tactically, this was a smart move - few knew the lay of the frontier land better than they did. But there was another astute reason.

&quot;Involving them in the mission would at least begin to lay the ghosts of Uri to rest,&quot; says the book.

About the details of the planning,&nbsp;it says, &quot;The target list was scrutinised along a top-secret chain of command that numbered barely a handful of people, with the need-to-know rules applicable throughout.

&quot;The options were vetted by designated officers from the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing, before a final recommended brief was presented to the government.&quot;

Major&nbsp;Tango was entrusted with the job of leading the operation to carry out the strikes.

&quot;As team Leader, Major&nbsp;Tango had chosen every man himself, including the officers and men who would play a supporting role. He was also acutely aware of the fact that the lives of 19 men were quite literally, in his hands,&quot; the book says.

Though Major&nbsp;Tango chose the best men for the job, one thing was bothering him - the de-induction or the return.

&quot;That&#39;s where I knew I could lose guys,&quot; the book quotes him as recalling.

&quot;Even the actual attack was not something that flustered the commandos. It was the return, an uphill trek to the LoC that was the truly daunting part.

&quot;Their backs would be facing a blaze of fire from Pakistan Army posts, belatedly roused from their slumber. And the dominant position held by the posts would make the escaping warriors easy targets to spot and kill,&quot; the book says.

A total of four terror launch pads operated by Pakistan&#39;s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and protected by the Pakistan Army were selected.

&quot;Through a series of masked communications over mobile,&nbsp;Major Tango&#39;s men contacted four assets - two local villagers in PoK and two Pakistani nationals operating in the area - both moles in the dreaded Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, men who had been turned by Indian agencies a few years before.

&quot;All the four assets separately confirmed the target information that was placed before them. In terms of intelligence, there was nothing further for the team to do on this side of the LoC,&quot; the book says.

The book, written by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh and published by Penguin India, tells 14 true stories of extraordinary courage and fearlessness, providing a glimpse into the kind of heroism Indias soldiers display in unthinkably hostile conditions and under grave provocation.

The mission was brief - the soldiers were expected to reach their targets, study the latest intelligence they could possibly access with their satellite devices and then proceed to wipe out every man they saw there, the book says.

The weapons and equipment were then finalised.

&quot;Major&nbsp;Tango would be armed with his M4A1 5.56-mm carbine, the rest of the assault team with a mix of M4A1s and standard-issue Israeli Tavor TAR-21 assault rifles, Instalaza C90 disposable grenade launchers and Galil sniper rifles. Batteries on night-vision equipment were checked and other devices were charged too,&quot; the book says.

Two of the terror launch pads identified as targets for Major&nbsp;Tango&#39;s team were well inside PoK and roughly 500 metres away from each other, it says.

&quot;Each launch pad is really a transit staging area for terrorist infiltrators before they are sent across the LoC. Both launch pads were close to Pakistan Army posts for logistical and administrative purposes. ISI handlers would often visit these launch pads before infiltration attempts,&quot; according the book.

&quot;From the moment the firefight began until the last bullet was fired, it had been just over an hour. The frenetic pace of the assault meant the teams, now united after the split attack on two launch pads, would prepare to leave with only a very rough estimate of the number of terrorists they had managed to kill: 20. The figure would be corroborated days later by Indias external intelligence.

&quot;A total of 38-40 terrorists and two Pakistan Army personnel were killed at the four targets. The three separate teams had simultaneously struck 4 launch pads across the LoC. Their entry into PoK had been coordinated and precisely timed,&quot; it says.

As for the return, the major decided to take not the route used to enter PoK but a different path that was longer and more circuitous, but comparatively safe.

But while the Indian soldiers were returning, the Pakistan Army posts opened fire with everything they had - enraged by the cross-border strike.

&quot;At one point, the bullets were so close, they were whistling past our ears. Theres a familiar put-put sound when rounds fly very close to your head,&quot; Maj. Tango recalls.

&quot;If I were a foot taller, I would have been hit many times over.&quot;

During the circuitous escape, the men were frequently flat on the ground as trees in their path were shredded to bits by hails of ammunition, the book says.

&quot;A particularly vulnerable 60-metre patch in the de- induction route gave the commandos their closest call. Still flat on their bellies, but with no natural feature hiding them, they needed to slither the full distance without being hit. Crossing in pairs as ammunition hit the ground inches from them, Major&nbsp;Tango&#39;s team made it to the LoC before the sun was up, finally crossing it at 0430 hours.&quot;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In a book, the army officer says that the bullets fired by the enemy soldiers were so close that these were whistling past the ears

The surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) were precise and conducted at a frenetic pace but the army officer, who led the daredevil mission, says that the return was the most difficult part and bullets fired by the enemy soldiers were so close that these were whistling past the ears. The Army Major speaks about the stunning mission in a new book being brought out on the first anniversary of surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. The officer is referred to as Major Mike Tango in the book, titled "India's Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes". The Army had decided to use soldiers from the units that had suffered losses in the Uri attack for the elaborate revenge mission. A Ghatak platoon was formed and soldiers from the two units that had lost men were roped in to man border posts and provide crucial terrain intelligence and support to the mission that lay ahead. "Tactically, this was a smart move - few knew the lay of the frontier land better than they did. But there was another astute reason. "Involving them in the mission would at least begin to lay the ghosts of Uri to rest," says the book. About the details of the planning, it says, "The target list was scrutinised along a top-secret chain of command that numbered barely a handful of people, with the need-to-know rules applicable throughout. "The options were vetted by designated officers from the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing, before a final recommended brief was presented to the government." Major Tango was entrusted with the job of leading the operation to carry out the strikes. "As team Leader, Major Tango had chosen every man himself, including the officers and men who would play a supporting role. He was also acutely aware of the fact that the lives of 19 men were quite literally, in his hands," the book says. Though Major Tango chose the best men for the job, one thing was bothering him - the de-induction or the return. "That's where I knew I could lose guys," the book quotes him as recalling. "Even the actual attack was not something that flustered the commandos. It was the return, an uphill trek to the LoC that was the truly daunting part. "Their backs would be facing a blaze of fire from Pakistan Army posts, belatedly roused from their slumber. And the dominant position held by the posts would make the escaping warriors easy targets to spot and kill," the book says. A total of four terror launch pads operated by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and protected by the Pakistan Army were selected. "Through a series of masked communications over mobile, Major Tango's men contacted four assets - two local villagers in PoK and two Pakistani nationals operating in the area - both moles in the dreaded Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, men who had been turned by Indian agencies a few years before. "All the four assets separately confirmed the target information that was placed before them. In terms of intelligence, there was nothing further for the team to do on this side of the LoC," the book says. The book, written by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh and published by Penguin India, tells 14 true stories of extraordinary courage and fearlessness, providing a glimpse into the kind of heroism Indias soldiers display in unthinkably hostile conditions and under grave provocation. The mission was brief - the soldiers were expected to reach their targets, study the latest intelligence they could possibly access with their satellite devices and then proceed to wipe out every man they saw there, the book says. The weapons and equipment were then finalised. "Major Tango would be armed with his M4A1 5.56-mm carbine, the rest of the assault team with a mix of M4A1s and standard-issue Israeli Tavor TAR-21 assault rifles, Instalaza C90 disposable grenade launchers and Galil sniper rifles. Batteries on night-vision equipment were checked and other devices were charged too," the book says. Two of the terror launch pads identified as targets for Major Tango's team were well inside PoK and roughly 500 metres away from each other, it says. "Each launch pad is really a transit staging area for terrorist infiltrators before they are sent across the LoC. Both launch pads were close to Pakistan Army posts for logistical and administrative purposes. ISI handlers would often visit these launch pads before infiltration attempts," according the book. "From the moment the firefight began until the last bullet was fired, it had been just over an hour. The frenetic pace of the assault meant the teams, now united after the split attack on two launch pads, would prepare to leave with only a very rough estimate of the number of terrorists they had managed to kill: 20. The figure would be corroborated days later by Indias external intelligence. "A total of 38-40 terrorists and two Pakistan Army personnel were killed at the four targets. The three separate teams had simultaneously struck 4 launch pads across the LoC. Their entry into PoK had been coordinated and precisely timed," it says. As for the return, the major decided to take not the route used to enter PoK but a different path that was longer and more circuitous, but comparatively safe. But while the Indian soldiers were returning, the Pakistan Army posts opened fire with everything they had - enraged by the cross-border strike. "At one point, the bullets were so close, they were whistling past our ears. Theres a familiar put-put sound when rounds fly very close to your head," Maj. Tango recalls. "If I were a foot taller, I would have been hit many times over." During the circuitous escape, the men were frequently flat on the ground as trees in their path were shredded to bits by hails of ammunition, the book says. "A particularly vulnerable 60-metre patch in the de- induction route gave the commandos their closest call. Still flat on their bellies, but with no natural feature hiding them, they needed to slither the full distance without being hit. Crossing in pairs as ammunition hit the ground inches from them, Major Tango's team made it to the LoC before the sun was up, finally crossing it at 0430 hours."

Return the most difficult part: Armyman who led surgical strikes

Pakistan military authorities have committed to release the Indian soldier Chandu Chavan, who inadvertently strayed across the border last year, junior federal minister for defence Subhash Bhamre said today.

&quot;They (Pakistan) have admitted that Chandu Chavan is alive, and that they will soon release him after inquiry, which is nearing completion,&quot; Bhamre said after the launch of second Scorpene class submarine Khanderi, at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in south Mumbai.

&quot;We are trying at the level of DGMO (Director General of Military Operations), to secure his release. So far, the DGMO has spoken to its Pakistan counterpart at least 15 to 20 times,&quot; the minister said.

&quot;The last time such talks took place was two days ago. They (Pakistan) said that the inquiry is getting over and Chandu Chavan will soon be released,&quot; he said. 
Incidentally, Chavan hails from Bhamre&#39;s Lok Sabha constituency.

&quot;I have been in regular touch with his family,&quot; the minister said.

On September 30 last year, Chavan had inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control (LoC).&nbsp;

Asked about the claims by a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan through social media posts that poor quality food was being served to soldiers on the LoC, Bhamre said an inquiry has been ordered.

He said that federal home minister Rajnath Singh has made a detailed statement on the issue.

The BSF had yesterday submitted a report to the home ministry on the allegations of a jawan, stating that the &#39;daal&#39; (lentil curry) shown in his video was uncanned from tinned food ration and the &#39;parantha&#39; was cooked in the unit mess as per procedures followed at high-altitude locations.

BSF Director General K K Sharma had submitted the interim report to the federal home ministry and informed home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi that the western front commander of the force along with a dietician had been rushed to the border post in Jammu and Kashmir where the jawan, Tej Bahadur Yadav was posted, for a detailed inquiry.

Federal ministerof state (home) Kiren Rijiju had also said that the government has sent &quot;experts and dieticians to each and every post of the border to ensure that the food quality of the jawans is as per the norms.&quot;

In reply to another query, Bhamre said the Navy had ordered a Board of Inquiry (BoI) on allegations against a senior Navy doctor after he was accused by a junior woman of molestation, including once at the residence of a senior officer.

&quot;We will get the BoI report soon,&quot; the minister said. 
 
(PTI)

India's junior federal defence minister said Pakistan admitted that Chandu Chavan is alive, and that they will release him after an inquiry

Pakistan military authorities have committed to release the Indian soldier Chandu Chavan, who inadvertently strayed across the border last year, junior federal minister for defence Subhash Bhamre said today. "They (Pakistan) have admitted that Chandu Chavan is alive, and that they will soon release him after inquiry, which is nearing completion," Bhamre said after the launch of second Scorpene class submarine Khanderi, at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in south Mumbai. "We are trying at the level of DGMO (Director General of Military Operations), to secure his release. So far, the DGMO has spoken to its Pakistan counterpart at least 15 to 20 times," the minister said. "The last time such talks took place was two days ago. They (Pakistan) said that the inquiry is getting over and Chandu Chavan will soon be released," he said. Incidentally, Chavan hails from Bhamre's Lok Sabha constituency. "I have been in regular touch with his family," the minister said. On September 30 last year, Chavan had inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control (LoC). Asked about the claims by a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan through social media posts that poor quality food was being served to soldiers on the LoC, Bhamre said an inquiry has been ordered. He said that federal home minister Rajnath Singh has made a detailed statement on the issue. The BSF had yesterday submitted a report to the home ministry on the allegations of a jawan, stating that the 'daal' (lentil curry) shown in his video was uncanned from tinned food ration and the 'parantha' was cooked in the unit mess as per procedures followed at high-altitude locations. BSF Director General K K Sharma had submitted the interim report to the federal home ministry and informed home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi that the western front commander of the force along with a dietician had been rushed to the border post in Jammu and Kashmir where the jawan, Tej Bahadur Yadav was posted, for a detailed inquiry. Federal ministerof state (home) Kiren Rijiju had also said that the government has sent "experts and dieticians to each and every post of the border to ensure that the food quality of the jawans is as per the norms." In reply to another query, Bhamre said the Navy had ordered a Board of Inquiry (BoI) on allegations against a senior Navy doctor after he was accused by a junior woman of molestation, including once at the residence of a senior officer. "We will get the BoI report soon," the minister said. (PTI)

Pakistan to release soldier captured after 'surgical strikes': Indian government

An Indian Army soldier was killed after Pakistani troops violated ceasefire across along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Rajouri district on Sunday, Indian news agency PTI reported.

&quot;There was ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along LoC in Rajouri sector resulting in death of a soldier today,&quot; a senior Army officer said about the incident which took place in the evening.

Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire twice in the day. A defence spokesperson said that there was unprovoked firing by the Pakistani troops in the Naushera sector of the same district earlier in the day.

The ceasefire violations by Pakistan took place on a day when India hosted leaders of a number of countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, for BRICS and BIMSTEC Summits.

He said Indian troops guarding the LoC retaliated but no one was injured in that exchange.

A senior army officer alleged that there have been over 25 ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the LoC after the Indian army&#39;s surgical strikes on September 29. The strikes were carried out in retaliation for the Uri attack by Pakistani militants in Kashmir that killed 19 soldiers.

Recent instances of ceasefire violations by Pakistan

Five civilians and four Indian soldiers were injured in unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops in Poonch district. Nine Pakistani soldiers were injured after Indian troops retaliated, the army officer told PTI.

On October 8, Pakistani troops fired on Indian posts along the Mendhar-Krishnagati sector in Pooch district. One soldier was injured.

On October 5, Pakistan violated the ceasefire thrice in three sectors of Poonch and Rajouri, resorting to heavy firing and mortar shelling on several Indian posts and civilian areas.

On October 4, Pakistan violated the ceasefire five times, targeting Indian posts and civilian areas across the LoC in four areas of Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri.

On October 3, Pakistan violated the ceasefire four times and resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling in various sectors in Poonch.

On October 2, Pakistan resorted to firing and shelling along the LoC in forward areas in Pallanwala belt of Jammu.

On October 1, Pakistani troops had shelled Indian posts and civilian areas with mortar bombs, RPGS and HMGS amid small arms firing along LoC in Pallanwala of Jammu.

On September 30, Pakistani troops restored to small arms firing along the LoC in Pallanwala, Chaprial, Samnam areas of Akhnoor sector of Jammu district. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

&nbsp;

There have been over 25 ceasefire violations along the LoC since the surgical strikes by India, a senior army officer said

An Indian Army soldier was killed after Pakistani troops violated ceasefire across along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Sunday, Indian news agency PTI reported. "There was ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along LoC in Rajouri sector resulting in death of a soldier today," a senior Army officer said about the incident which took place in the evening. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire twice in the day. A defence spokesperson said that there was unprovoked firing by the Pakistani troops in the Naushera sector of the same district earlier in the day. The ceasefire violations by Pakistan took place on a day when India hosted leaders of a number of countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, for BRICS and BIMSTEC Summits. He said Indian troops guarding the LoC retaliated but no one was injured in that exchange. A senior army officer alleged that there have been over 25 ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the LoC after the Indian army's surgical strikes on September 29. The strikes were carried out in retaliation for the Uri attack by Pakistani militants in Kashmir that killed 19 soldiers. Recent instances of ceasefire violations by Pakistan Five civilians and four Indian soldiers were injured in unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops in Poonch district. Nine Pakistani soldiers were injured after Indian troops retaliated, the army officer told PTI. On October 8, Pakistani troops fired on Indian posts along the Mendhar-Krishnagati sector in Pooch district. One soldier was injured. On October 5, Pakistan violated the ceasefire thrice in three sectors of Poonch and Rajouri, resorting to heavy firing and mortar shelling on several Indian posts and civilian areas. On October 4, Pakistan violated the ceasefire five times, targeting Indian posts and civilian areas across the LoC in four areas of Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri. On October 3, Pakistan violated the ceasefire four times and resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling in various sectors in Poonch. On October 2, Pakistan resorted to firing and shelling along the LoC in forward areas in Pallanwala belt of Jammu. On October 1, Pakistani troops had shelled Indian posts and civilian areas with mortar bombs, RPGS and HMGS amid small arms firing along LoC in Pallanwala of Jammu. On September 30, Pakistani troops restored to small arms firing along the LoC in Pallanwala, Chaprial, Samnam areas of Akhnoor sector of Jammu district. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops kills Indian soldier in Jammu

At least 250 militants from three jihadist groups, believed to be operating from Pakistan, are hiding in Kashmir and waiting to launch more attacks, top Indian government sources said.

Quoting Intelligence feed, the sources said Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen militants had infiltrated before the surgical strikes took place and were instructed by their handlers to target security forces stationed in the Valley, Indian news agency&nbsp;Press Trust of India reported.

Security has been beefed up along the Indian side of the Line of Control (a de facto border separating India and Pakistan) and the international border. But security gaps remain due to rough topography of the region.&nbsp;

Intelligence reports suggest that more terrorists are planning to infiltrate Kashmir using different entry points, including from Jammu.

The Indian government has instructed all security forces in India&#39;s northern state of Jammu and Kashmir to be alert to any possible infiltration attempts.&nbsp;

During the surgical strikes on the intervening night of September 28-29, maximum casualty was inflicted on the Lashkar-e-Taiba with almost 20 of their militants killed, according to assessment reports of radio intercepts&nbsp;belonging to the Indian Army.&nbsp;

(WION)

&nbsp;

Intelligence reports suggest that more terrorists are planning to infiltrate Kashmir using different entry points

At least 250 militants from three jihadist groups, believed to be operating from Pakistan, are hiding in Kashmir and waiting to launch more attacks, top Indian government sources said. Quoting Intelligence feed, the sources said Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen militants had infiltrated before the surgical strikes took place and were instructed by their handlers to target security forces stationed in the Valley, Indian news agency Press Trust of India reported. Security has been beefed up along the Indian side of the Line of Control (a de facto border separating India and Pakistan) and the international border. But security gaps remain due to rough topography of the region. Intelligence reports suggest that more terrorists are planning to infiltrate Kashmir using different entry points, including from Jammu. The Indian government has instructed all security forces in India's northern state of Jammu and Kashmir to be alert to any possible infiltration attempts. During the surgical strikes on the intervening night of September 28-29, maximum casualty was inflicted on the Lashkar-e-Taiba with almost 20 of their militants killed, according to assessment reports of radio intercepts belonging to the Indian Army. (WION)

At least 250 militants hiding in Kashmir to launch attacks: India

Amid growing Indo-Pak strain following the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir Valley and ensuing surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India has never coveted any territory or attacked another country.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The comments were made during an inauguration ceremony in the national capital, Delhi, when in an apparent dig at Pakistan Modi said: &quot;India has never coveted territory, never attacked another country, yet thousands of Indians gave their lives in the first World War.&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;In the last two years, you have seen how the government rescued people from conflict situations, not just Indians but foreigners too,&quot; Modi was quoted as saying during an event. &nbsp;He inaugurated Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a facility dedicated to the Indian community abroad, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On September 18, militants infiltrated an Indian army base in Uri near the border in which at least 18&nbsp;soldiers were killed. India had&nbsp;hit back by conducting surgical strikes across Pakistan&#39;s side of the Line of Control at militant launchpads on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh praised the soldiers for their bravery and said,&nbsp;&quot;The country as well as the whole world is aware of this (surgical strikes)..The way our jawans [soldiers] displayed valour and have made India proud.&quot;

&nbsp;

The minister also insisted to&nbsp;&quot;just wait and watch&quot; in reference to releasing the footage of the surgical strikes carried out.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan is maintaining that its border is impenetrable and the strikes never happened.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Friday slammed Pakistani media for showing false videos depicting Indian casualties in one of the operations carried out by the neighbouring country amid escalating tensions. The Army labelled it as &quot;black propaganda&quot; for showing &quot;morphed images&quot;, Indian agency the Press Trust of India reported.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister's statement comes as tensions continue to fester between India, Pakistan after Uri attack and ensuing surgical strikes

Amid growing Indo-Pak strain following the September 18 Uri attack in Kashmir Valley and ensuing surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India has never coveted any territory or attacked another country. The comments were made during an inauguration ceremony in the national capital, Delhi, when in an apparent dig at Pakistan Modi said: "India has never coveted territory, never attacked another country, yet thousands of Indians gave their lives in the first World War." "In the last two years, you have seen how the government rescued people from conflict situations, not just Indians but foreigners too," Modi was quoted as saying during an event. He inaugurated Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, a facility dedicated to the Indian community abroad, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. On September 18, militants infiltrated an Indian army base in Uri near the border in which at least 18 soldiers were killed. India had hit back by conducting surgical strikes across Pakistan's side of the Line of Control at militant launchpads on Wednesday night. India's interior minister Rajnath Singh praised the soldiers for their bravery and said, "The country as well as the whole world is aware of this (surgical strikes)..The way our jawans [soldiers] displayed valour and have made India proud." The minister also insisted to "just wait and watch" in reference to releasing the footage of the surgical strikes carried out. Pakistan is maintaining that its border is impenetrable and the strikes never happened. Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Friday slammed Pakistani media for showing false videos depicting Indian casualties in one of the operations carried out by the neighbouring country amid escalating tensions. The Army labelled it as "black propaganda" for showing "morphed images", Indian agency the Press Trust of India reported. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Modi: India never attacked another country, coveted territory

India&#39;s defence minister Manohar Parrikar today said it would take &quot;some days&quot; to secure the release of the Army jawan who &quot;inadvertently&quot; crossed over into Pakistan because of the prevailing tensions between the two South Asian countries.

&nbsp;

The minister, however, assured that a &quot;well-established mechanism&quot; had been activated to bring the soldier back, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The army jawan, Chandu Babulal Chavan, from 37 Rashtriya Rifles (a branch of the Indian Army under the authority of the Indian ministry of Defence) had crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control on September 30.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;He had crossed over which happens in border areas. There is a well-established mechanism through DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) which has been activated. Since the situation is tense right now, it will take some days to bring the soldier back,&quot; the minister, while inaugurating a cleanliness drive, said.

&nbsp;

Parrikar also said that people should remain alert and report anything unusual to the police.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Indian Army on Thursday announced that it had conducted surgical strikes on five terrorist launchpads across the Line of Control in Pakistan-administered Kashmir killing several militants.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan, however, denied the strikes and instead claimed it had captured one Indian soldier while he was trying to cross the LoC during cross-border shelling. Pakistani media also quoted the country&#39;s security forces as saying that eight Indian soldiers had been killed in the cross-border firing.

&nbsp;

The Indian army dismissed these claims, stating that that there was no relation between the surgical strikes and the soldier crossing the border the next day.

&nbsp;

&quot;Such inadvertent crossing by army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms,&quot; the Indian Army had said in an official statement.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

India&#39;s surgical strikes were a direct response to the attack by Pakistani militants in Uri on September 18 that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers.

&nbsp;

After an increase in derogatory comments between the two sides, Parrikar on Saturday likened Pakistan to a patient under the influence of anaesthesia. &nbsp;&quot;It is just like anaesthesia. When anaesthesia is given, you don&#39;t realise the surgery is over. It&#39;s been two days and Pakistan has still no idea what has happened,&quot; he had said.

&nbsp;

Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh had called up the family of the solider on Friday and assured them that efforts are being made to secure his release.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Chavan&#39;s grandmother had passed away after hearing the news of his crossing over to Pakistan, according to local media reports.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fresh fire across their border on Saturday even as UN chief Ban Ki-moon offered to mediate. However, there were no reports of activity on Sunday.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

India says the soldier was captured after he 'inadvertently' crossed over into the Pakistani side of the Line of Control

India's defence minister Manohar Parrikar today said it would take "some days" to secure the release of the Army jawan who "inadvertently" crossed over into Pakistan because of the prevailing tensions between the two South Asian countries. The minister, however, assured that a "well-established mechanism" had been activated to bring the soldier back, Indian news agency PTI reported. The army jawan, Chandu Babulal Chavan, from 37 Rashtriya Rifles (a branch of the Indian Army under the authority of the Indian ministry of Defence) had crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control on September 30. "He had crossed over which happens in border areas. There is a well-established mechanism through DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) which has been activated. Since the situation is tense right now, it will take some days to bring the soldier back," the minister, while inaugurating a cleanliness drive, said. Parrikar also said that people should remain alert and report anything unusual to the police. Indian Army on Thursday announced that it had conducted surgical strikes on five terrorist launchpads across the Line of Control in Pakistan-administered Kashmir killing several militants. Pakistan, however, denied the strikes and instead claimed it had captured one Indian soldier while he was trying to cross the LoC during cross-border shelling. Pakistani media also quoted the country's security forces as saying that eight Indian soldiers had been killed in the cross-border firing. The Indian army dismissed these claims, stating that that there was no relation between the surgical strikes and the soldier crossing the border the next day. "Such inadvertent crossing by army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms," the Indian Army had said in an official statement. India's surgical strikes were a direct response to the attack by Pakistani militants in Uri on September 18 that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers. After an increase in derogatory comments between the two sides, Parrikar on Saturday likened Pakistan to a patient under the influence of anaesthesia. "It is just like anaesthesia. When anaesthesia is given, you don't realise the surgery is over. It's been two days and Pakistan has still no idea what has happened," he had said. Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh had called up the family of the solider on Friday and assured them that efforts are being made to secure his release. Chavan's grandmother had passed away after hearing the news of his crossing over to Pakistan, according to local media reports. Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fresh fire across their border on Saturday even as UN chief Ban Ki-moon offered to mediate. However, there were no reports of activity on Sunday. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Will take few days to secure release of soldier who crossed into Pakistan: India's defence minister

India&rsquo;s interior minister Rajnath Singh today assured that all attempts are being made to secure the release of an Indian soldier who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan on Thursday.

&quot;All attempts are being made to secure his release,&quot; Singh told reporters.

Singh added that New Delhi will take up the matter with Islamabad for the soldier&rsquo;s early release.

Chandu Babulal Chohan, 22, crossed the Line of Control (LOC) when the Indian army carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan Administered Kashmir.

Indian Army sources had said yesterday that &quot;one soldier from 37 RR with weapon has inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control. Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO on the hotline.&quot;

The sources later clarified that his crossing over was not related to the surgical strikes.

&quot;Such inadvertent crossing by Army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms,&quot; they had said.

The Indian Army had yesterday rejected as &quot;false and baseless&quot; reports in a section of Pakistani media that eight Indian soldiers were killed and one captured by Pakistani military in retaliatory fire.

Indian Army sources said, &quot;As regard (to the) report of killing of eight Indian Army personnel reported in sections of Pakistan media, the report is completely false and baseless.&quot;

India had carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army inflicting &quot;significant casualties&quot; on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan Administered Kashmir.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

India claims the soldier 'inadvertently' crossed the Line of Control while Pakistan says he was captured after India's surgical strikes

India’s interior minister Rajnath Singh today assured that all attempts are being made to secure the release of an Indian soldier who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan on Thursday. "All attempts are being made to secure his release," Singh told reporters. Singh added that New Delhi will take up the matter with Islamabad for the soldier’s early release. Chandu Babulal Chohan, 22, crossed the Line of Control (LOC) when the Indian army carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan Administered Kashmir. Indian Army sources had said yesterday that "one soldier from 37 RR with weapon has inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control. Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO on the hotline." The sources later clarified that his crossing over was not related to the surgical strikes. "Such inadvertent crossing by Army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms," they had said. The Indian Army had yesterday rejected as "false and baseless" reports in a section of Pakistani media that eight Indian soldiers were killed and one captured by Pakistani military in retaliatory fire. Indian Army sources said, "As regard (to the) report of killing of eight Indian Army personnel reported in sections of Pakistan media, the report is completely false and baseless." India had carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan Administered Kashmir. (WION with inputs from PTI)

All attempts being made to secure release of Indian soldier: Interior minister

Pakistani cinemas have stopped screening Indian films in &quot;solidarity&quot; with the country&#39;s armed forces, after an escalation of violence in disputed Kashmir between the nuclear-armed neighbours, theatre owners said on Friday.

Tension between India and Pakistan has been high since an Indian security forces crackdown on dissent in Indian-controlled Kashmir began in July. Relations worsened in September after militants killed 18 soldiers in a raid on an Indian army base, an attack New Delhi blames on Pakistan.

&quot;We have stopped screening Indian movies at our cinemas from Friday till the situation improves and normalcy returns,&quot; said Nadeem Mandviwalla, whose Mandviwalla Entertainment runs eight cinemas in Karachi and the capital, Islamabad.

India said on Thursday it had carried out &quot;surgical strikes&quot; in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, a claim that Pakistan condemned and denied.

The Indian Motion Picture Producers&#39; Association (IMPPA), a small filmmakers&#39; body, on Thursday banned their members from hiring Pakistani actors. Mandviwalla and other cinema owners said the ban in Pakistan was also in response to IMPPA&#39;s move.

Indian media reported that a leader of regional right-wing party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, last week gave Pakistani actors 48 hours to leave India or faced being &quot;pushed out&quot;.

The party, which was not available for comment, is one of two hardline parties based in Mumbai that has regularly called for Pakistani artists to be banned from working in India.

Indian films are spectacularly popular both at the cinema and on bootlegged DVDs in Pakistan.

Pakistan&#39;s domestic film industry has seen a revival in recent years, but is dwarfed by India&#39;s Bollywood. Pakistani actors have increasingly been appearing in big budget Bollywood films in the last few years.

Some Indian actors came to the defence of their Pakistani counterparts.

&quot;They are artists. These are two different subjects. They were terrorists, these are artists. What do you think, artists are terrorists?&quot; Salman Khan, one of Bollywood&#39;s biggest stars, told reporters when asked if Pakistani actors should be forced out.

Khurram Gultasab, general manager at Super Cinemas, which runs ten cinemas in cities across Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province, confirmed his group would also not be screening Indian films.

&quot;I think we should show solidarity with our army engaged at very hot borders right now and secondly with our actors,&quot; said Gultasab. He said the move had been made by cinema owners themselves, rather than on government directions.

Other Pakistani cinemas posted on social media saying they would not be showing Indian films after Thursday&#39;s violence.

(Reuters)

 
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'We have stopped screening Indian movies at our cinemas from Friday till the situation improves and normalcy returns,' said the owner of a cinema chain in Islamabad

Pakistani cinemas have stopped screening Indian films in "solidarity" with the country's armed forces, after an escalation of violence in disputed Kashmir between the nuclear-armed neighbours, theatre owners said on Friday. Tension between India and Pakistan has been high since an Indian security forces crackdown on dissent in Indian-controlled Kashmir began in July. Relations worsened in September after militants killed 18 soldiers in a raid on an Indian army base, an attack New Delhi blames on Pakistan. "We have stopped screening Indian movies at our cinemas from Friday till the situation improves and normalcy returns," said Nadeem Mandviwalla, whose Mandviwalla Entertainment runs eight cinemas in Karachi and the capital, Islamabad. India said on Thursday it had carried out "surgical strikes" in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, a claim that Pakistan condemned and denied. The Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA), a small filmmakers' body, on Thursday banned their members from hiring Pakistani actors. Mandviwalla and other cinema owners said the ban in Pakistan was also in response to IMPPA's move. Indian media reported that a leader of regional right-wing party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, last week gave Pakistani actors 48 hours to leave India or faced being "pushed out". The party, which was not available for comment, is one of two hardline parties based in Mumbai that has regularly called for Pakistani artists to be banned from working in India. Indian films are spectacularly popular both at the cinema and on bootlegged DVDs in Pakistan. Pakistan's domestic film industry has seen a revival in recent years, but is dwarfed by India's Bollywood. Pakistani actors have increasingly been appearing in big budget Bollywood films in the last few years. Some Indian actors came to the defence of their Pakistani counterparts. "They are artists. These are two different subjects. They were terrorists, these are artists. What do you think, artists are terrorists?" Salman Khan, one of Bollywood's biggest stars, told reporters when asked if Pakistani actors should be forced out. Khurram Gultasab, general manager at Super Cinemas, which runs ten cinemas in cities across Pakistan's Punjab province, confirmed his group would also not be screening Indian films. "I think we should show solidarity with our army engaged at very hot borders right now and secondly with our actors," said Gultasab. He said the move had been made by cinema owners themselves, rather than on government directions. Other Pakistani cinemas posted on social media saying they would not be showing Indian films after Thursday's violence. (Reuters)

Pakistan cinemas ban Indian films amid escalating tension in Kashmir

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, a vociferous critic of Indian Prime Minister Modi, has lauded him for the surgical strikes by the Army across the Line of Control (LoC), saying it is his &#39;first action worthy of PM&#39; in two-and-a-half years. &quot;When Prime Minister acts as the prime minister of the country then I too support him...I want to thank him that in the past two-and-a-half years, this is the first action which can be termed as worthy of prime minister,&quot; the Congress leader said at a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Bulandshahr district. 
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Rahul Gandhi: &quot;I thank PM for taking this action. My party &amp; I stand with him in this&quot; on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SurgicalStrike?src=hash">#SurgicalStrike</a> conducted by Indian army <a href="https://t.co/L7kSlg0lEk">pic.twitter.com/L7kSlg0lEk</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/781755213908627457">September 30, 2016</a></blockquote>
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He also extended his party&#39;s support to the PM in his actions against Pakistani terrorists, saying, &quot;He (Modi) has my full support and that of Congress. The entire nation is with him today.&quot;

Yesterday, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on seven terrorist launchpads across the LoC dividing India and Pakistan. 38 terrorists were killed in the under-an-hour long midnight incursion.

On September 18, eighteen Indian soldiers had died in a terror attack on an army camp in Uri, Kashmir. India had blamed the attack on terrorists from Pakistan. In the aftermath of the Uri attack, Rahul Gandhi had criticised Modi&#39;s &quot;short-sighted&quot; political alliance with PDP, saying it &quot;opened space&quot; for terrorism in Kashmir. He also blamed the NDA government for having &quot;no strategy&quot; vis-a-vis Kashmir.

&quot;I stand by our soldiers and I condemn what has been done to them by Pakistanis. However, space for that has been created by the politics the NDA has practised in Jammu and Kashmir,&quot; he had said in Mati (Kanpur Dehat) on September 20.

Targeting PM Modi, he had said, &quot;He goes from one event to another and this is no way of handling national security. National security cannot be handled like public meetings. This is a serious matter.&quot;

He had also tweeted: 
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FYI Modiji: a Kashmir strategy cannot be developed using selfies and sound bites
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/778243848195612672">September 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Rahul Gandhi is currently on a month-long roadshow through Uttar Pradesh, where he has been focusing on door-to-door campaigns and one-to-one interactions with farmers. The roadshow is part of the Congress strategy to connect with people ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls next year.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi says his party Congress stands by PM Modi's decision to conduct the midnight operation in Pakistan

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, a vociferous critic of Indian Prime Minister Modi, has lauded him for the surgical strikes by the Army across the Line of Control (LoC), saying it is his 'first action worthy of PM' in two-and-a-half years. "When Prime Minister acts as the prime minister of the country then I too support him...I want to thank him that in the past two-and-a-half years, this is the first action which can be termed as worthy of prime minister," the Congress leader said at a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district. #WATCH Rahul Gandhi: "I thank PM for taking this action. My party & I stand with him in this" on #SurgicalStrike conducted by Indian army pic.twitter.com/L7kSlg0lEk — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 30, 2016 × He also extended his party's support to the PM in his actions against Pakistani terrorists, saying, "He (Modi) has my full support and that of Congress. The entire nation is with him today." Yesterday, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on seven terrorist launchpads across the LoC dividing India and Pakistan. 38 terrorists were killed in the under-an-hour long midnight incursion. On September 18, eighteen Indian soldiers had died in a terror attack on an army camp in Uri, Kashmir. India had blamed the attack on terrorists from Pakistan. In the aftermath of the Uri attack, Rahul Gandhi had criticised Modi's "short-sighted" political alliance with PDP, saying it "opened space" for terrorism in Kashmir. He also blamed the NDA government for having "no strategy" vis-a-vis Kashmir. "I stand by our soldiers and I condemn what has been done to them by Pakistanis. However, space for that has been created by the politics the NDA has practised in Jammu and Kashmir," he had said in Mati (Kanpur Dehat) on September 20. Targeting PM Modi, he had said, "He goes from one event to another and this is no way of handling national security. National security cannot be handled like public meetings. This is a serious matter." He had also tweeted: FYI Modiji: a Kashmir strategy cannot be developed using selfies and sound bites — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) September 20, 2016 Rahul Gandhi is currently on a month-long roadshow through Uttar Pradesh, where he has been focusing on door-to-door campaigns and one-to-one interactions with farmers. The roadshow is part of the Congress strategy to connect with people ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls next year. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India's surgical strikes Modi's 'first action worthy of PM', says Rahul Gandhi