Pak Mobilises Additional Troops, Weaponry Along Line Of Control: Report

NEW DELHI: Amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan, sources in the security establishment on Wednesday said that Pakistan has mobilised additional troops and military equipment from its frontier with Afghanistan to forward positions in several sensitive sectors along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

The Indian Army on Wednesday also issued a stern warning to Pakistan against targeting civilians along the LoC, saying any further provocation or misadventure by it will have "dire consequences".

Official sources said the warning came after Pakistan targeted forward posts in Nowshera sector with 155 mm artillery guns which was retaliated by the Indian Army with Bofors guns.

Sources said the military officials of the two armies spoke over the hotline on Tuesday during which India had asked the Pakistani side not to target civilian population along the LoC.

"Post our warning to the Pakistan Army not to target civilian areas, the overall situation along the Line of Control remains relatively calm," the Army said in a statement while reiterating the warning on Wednesday about attacks on civilians.

According to the statement, the Pakistan Army resorted to intense and unprovoked firing with heavy caliber weapons in selected areas of Krishna Ghati and Sunderbani, targeting Indian posts and civilian areas with mortar bombs and heavy guns.

"The same was effectively retaliated by the Indian Army. There have been no casualties on the Indian side," it said.

A strict vigil is being maintained along the LoC and the international border and any further "provocation or misadventure by Pakistan will be responded in a befitting manner with dire consequences," the statement added.

Tensions between the two countries escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan on February 26.

Sources also say that post the Balakot strike, the Pakistani side has mobilised additional troops and military equipment from its borders with Afghanistan to forward positions in several sensitive sectors along the LoC.

Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations on February 27. However, the IAF thwarted their plans.

The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, killing 40 soldiers.