New Delhi, Jan.10 (ANI): The Indian Army on Thursday said that a news article titled "Runway Grandmother Sparked Savage Skirmish on LoC" by Praveen Swami, published in The Hindu was factually incorrect.
In a point-by-point rebuttal, Colonel Jagdeep Dahiya of the Indian Army said Swami's contention that there was a link between a 70-year-old woman crossing over and the recent cease-fire violations by Pakistan was incorrect, as the woman, Reshma Bi, had crossed the Line of Control on September 26, 2011.
"Therefore, the recent cease fire violations cannot be linked to an incident 16 months old," said Colonel Dahiya.
He further stated that the article mentions announcements made by Pakistan Army over a public address System at Uri demanding a halt to any construction work. This also was factually incorrect, he said.
The article also wrongly identifies Major General G.S. Rawat as the General Officer Commanding of 19 Infantry Division. The current GOC is Major General Khandare.
The army also denied that any permission was ever sought by the GOC for aggressive action against any Pakistani post.
Colonel Dahiya also rejected Swami's contention that there had been LC transgressions by the Indian Army in the Uri Sector on January 6, 2013.
He said that Pakistan carried out cease fire violations on night of January 5 and 6, and the Indian Army carried out controlled retaliation from its own side on January 6. (ANI)