Indian Army hits back at terror launch pads across LoC

The Indian Army has targeted terror launch pads across the Line of Control fearing raids by Border Action Teams (BAT). The BAT is a combination of Pakistan Army regulars and terrorists.

The army claims to have hit launch pads located in Nikial, Rakhchakri, Kotli and Bhimber in PoK over the past few days.

“Terrorist launchpads have been hit in Nikial, Rakhchakri, Kotli and Bhimber. Kotli, especially, is known for such launchpads,” said one of the officials cited earlier.

According to sources, there has been a massive exchange of artillery fire in areas under Poonch and Krishna Ghati sectors and terror launch pads and army facilities assisting terror groups in Kotli, Bhimber, Rakchikri, Nikial have been targeted.

The army top brass believes that Pakistan will attempt to carry out attacks through BAT — comprising Pakistani Special Service Group commandos and terrorists — sniping, planting of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near Indian patrols, and using infrastructure against it.

There have been over 600 ceasefire violations in 2019. Last year there were 1,629 ceasefire violations.

According to intelligence observations, there has been massive deployment by the Pakistan Army in the forward areas over the past few weeks. This comes particularly in the area falling under the Pakistan Army’s 4 Corp and 10 Corp.

The 4 Corp is headquartered in Lahore and is responsible for defences along the Punjab border. The area of 10 Corp headquartered in Rawalpindi has also seen a lot of movement recently, sources said.

The 10 Corp of Pakistan Army is responsible for northern areas including higher reaches of Kashmir along the Line of Control. The Northern Light Infantry is part of this formation.