Pincer movements take effect

NEW DELHI, JUNE 15: The Army continued its run of successful operations today, encircling the strategic Marpolo Top further north of Tulo...

NEW DELHI, JUNE 15: The Army continued its run of successful operations today, encircling the strategic Marpolo Top further north of Tuloling, towards the LoC. They also snapped the supply line of the Pakistan Army intruders following a fierce 24-hour hand-to-hand gun battle. One officer 8212; Major Manoj Talwar 8212; died from injuries sustained in another ongoing operation in the Batalik sub-sector.

In the Batalik sub-sector, as in Drass, Indian troops have moved northwards of the already-captured Point 5203. They have encircled the area and cut off two important supply lines to the infiltrators following a fierce battle. In Tuloling itself, mopping-up operations are on full swing. An official spokesperson put the Pakistani losses so far at 23 killed and at least 36 injured.

Replying to a question about the manpower of the Pakistanis involved in the intrusion, Col Vikram Singh said estimates showed that about 500-600 Pakistan Army personnel had crossed the LoC. And they were being supplied rations and ammmunition by over 2,000 porters stationed on the other side.

Meanwhile, the combat aircraft of the Air Force resumed attacks after a gap of two days striking areas held by the Pakistan Army intruders in the Mushkoh Valley.

Group Captain D N Ganesh admitted that air operations had become more difficult with the intruders being pushed close to Line of Control. 8220;Our aircraft are flying very close to the LoC, but we will ensure that we operate on our side.8221;

Though no Pakistan Army intruder has been taken prisoner of war as yet, an identity card belonging to Havildar Arfoz Gul, A Company, 6, North Light Infantry of the Pakistan Army was recovered from the spot, said the Army official.

The army seized some more weapons and war equipment in addition to the huge haul the day before. The latest seizure includes one Universal Machine Gun, one AK rifle, nine boxes of ammunition, 62 hand grenades and over 10,000 rounds of small arms ammunition.

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8220;Till now, we have identified the 3,4 and 6 Northern Light Infantry battalions, along with sub-units of the Special Service Group and elements of supporting arms and services of the Pakistan Army in the pockets of intrusion,8221; Col Singh said.

The Army spokesman denied that troops were on high alert in the wake of military build-up on the Pakistan side of the LoC. 8220;There are certain movements along the LoC and we have adopted precautionary postures contingent to the requirements. But the situation is not alarming,8221; he said, replying to another question.

About the casualties in the operations so far, Col Singh said at least 104 Army personnel, including nine officers, have been killed and 242 injured. In comparison, the Pakistan side has lost 297 intruders, almost all of them from the Pakistan Army. The rest are Afghan mercenaries.