MUZAFFARABAD – While Pakistan Army has categorically dismissed the claim that Indian forces conducted a surgical strike in Azad Kashmir on Thursday night, the locals have also termed the Indian statement as lies.
India said the surgical strike took place near Mandhole village, which is located along the bank of the Poonch river just across the LoC, however a local resident, named Malik Rustam, said Indian troops did not cross the Line of Control on that night.
Talking to a group of newsmen brought to Azad Kashmit by Pakistan Army for briefing, Rustam said: “They are lying. They never crossed the LoC.” The Nation reported on Sunday.
He further narrated the happenings of Thursday night, saying that he was asleep when the sound of gunfire woke him up around 4 am. He and the whole family took cover in a community bunker, which is a general practice in the border villages where ceasefire violations are common.
All of the villagers present on the occasion also shook their heads in favor, agreeing with the claims of Malik Rustam.
Another local resident named Mirza Abdul Ghani also dismissed the Indian claims that militants were present on the Pakistani side of the LoC. He said they had weapons in our own houses and that they did not need anyone other than Pakistan for their protection.
“We will even fight against Indian army ourselves if they attack,” he added.
