PM calls meet after LoC shelling kills 3 soldiers

Reports from Islamabad claimed that Indian troops at the LoC ‘‘launched an offensive’’ to set up a new post overlooking Neelam valley but suffered ‘‘heavy casualties when the Indian offensive was repulsed twice,’’ a charge that the Indian army has denied.

Confirming that three Indian soldiers had been killed in the Pakistani firing, XV Corps commander Lt Gen V G Patankar said there had been no incursion.

Indian and Pakistani armies have been testing each other all along the LoC, especially in the area east and west of Zojila. Northern Command officials said they had information that Pakistan would try and push in men from Mushkoh, Gurez, Machchal, Tangdhar, Uri and Poonch.

The Kishen Ganga bulge area where the action took place is of strategic importance for both India and Pakistan. India dominates the LoC in this area, overlooking the upper and lower roads leading to Neelam valley.

‘‘The Army has a clear advantage here. It dominates the entire road along the river and Neelam valley. It can rain heavy artillery fire, disrupting Pakistani defence movements. Pakistan has been trying to counter this advantage by occupying certain hill features,’’ highly placed sources in army headquarters said.

The Pakistani pounding triggered an exodus from Chuntiwari village. People fled after shells landed, killing two persons and leaving another injured. Several houses were also damaged in the shelling. Most people sought shelter in Dudi village.

Helicopter sorties and the boom of the Bofors guns caused panic in Kupwara. ‘‘Bofors guns at Sohipora village, 3 km from the town, have been firing at Pakistani positions. Window panes everywhere have been shattered and we haven’t slept for two nights now,’’ said Ghulam Nabi, a Kupwara resident.