Intrusion in Leh too

SRINAGAR, MAY 29: In the first incursion of its kind, Pakistani regular troops, mostly in uniform, have come 500 m into the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) in the area between Chorbatla and Turtuk in Leh district and have built two rock bunkers (sangars), the Northern Command’s official spokesperson said on Saturday.

Declaring that the intrusion in the Chorbatla-Turtuk sector was not the same as evidenced in the Drass-Kargil-Batalik axis where a mix of Pakistani regulars and Afghan mercenaries had come in to occupy defence positions, the spokesperson said, “The intrusion 500 m into the Indian side of the LoC is by regular Pakistani troops. They have come in and occupied two sangars (rock bunkers) in that position.”

Reporting on the battle situation in the Drass-Kargil-Batalik axis, Maj Gen (General Staff) P P S Bindra of the Northern Command said, “One area is under the Army’s control in the Batalik sector, another area is partially under our control in the Drass sector and in the MushkoValley the Army has gained footholds at two points.” Citing operational reasons, Maj Gen Bindra said air strikes using MIG aircraft and helicopters were cancelled for today only. Saying that the Army was hoping to recover some more bodies in the Batalik sector, Maj Gen Bindra said that the toll of the Army’s dead had gone up to 25.