Troops consolidate gains in Dras
Major advances in Mushkoh
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, July 10 — The Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirages, MiG-23s and MiG-27s pounded the enemy positions close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Dras sector last night and through the day today even as the Indian troops continued to consolidate the gains made in the Batalik and the Dras sub-sectors of the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Even as Pakistan intensified artillery and mortar shelling all along the Line of Control and also fired anti-tank missiles in the general area of Chhamb that include Akhnoor and Palanwala, the mix of eight MiG-23s and the MiG-27s carried out airstrikes on enemy positions North West of Dras. The airstrikes continued till late in the evening as the attempts were being made to neutralise the few remaining enemy positions.

Yesterday the IAF carried out some extremely accurate strikes through the Mirages against enemy supply camps and gun positions along the river running from Point 4388 in Dras northwards across the LoC. Some more attacks were carried out during the day yesterday which proved highly effective.

However towards the evening, four MiG-21s neutralised an enemy gun position on a ridge in the Kaksar area, which was later confirmed by the ground troops present very close to the point of attack. It was confirmed that the attacks were extremely effective and that bombs launched from the fighter aircraft were right on target.

Pre-empting the enemy’s attempt to continue operations from the enemy supply camp near Point 4388, this morning three IAF Mirages once again attacked this camp with accuracy. The punch put into these attacks was formidable.

While yesterday in the attack on this same position, four Mirages dropped 24 high explosive 1000 pound bombs, amounting to 12 tonnes of high explosive churning up a restricted area. Today, the three Mirages attacked the same area again carrying 15 thousand pound bombs. The effect of accurate attacks with such accuracy wiped out most of the enemy positions in the region.

Continuing with its search and strikes policy the IAF this afternoon carried out airstrikes on enemy positions North West of Dras by a mix of eight MiG-23s and MiG-27s. Attacking with improvised precision guided munition the IAF jets pulverised the enemy positions leaving it totally scattered and in chaos.

Reports here said that the result of these airstrikes was now showing on the enemy positions in various areas. While it has been surmised that airstrikes have contributed to a significant portion of enemy’s casualty list, as was apparent in the numbers.

However the most telling effects on the ground were coming to light from the radio intercepts of the enemy. These have revealed that the intruders were facing severe shortage of rations, water, medicines and ammunition. Losses due to airstrikes and inability of evacuate their casualties were also being mentioned in the intercepts.

Reports said pressure was being mounted on the remaining few pockets of intrusion in Dras, Batalik and Kaksar sub-sectors by the infantry which was well supported by artillery shelling and airstrikes.

Pakistan army intensified artillery fire in Dras sector in a bid to regain certain positions from where they have been evicted by the Indian troops. While nine Pakistani soldiers were killed, six Indian jawans lost their lives in the artillery and mortar exchange.

The latest toll among the Pakistani army regulars was now 670 killed. These include at least 30 officers. The loss on the Indian side was 327 killed, 493 injured and 10 were still missing in action.

Three Pakistani soldiers were killed and many other injured when Indian artillery responded to Pakistani shelling in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

Artillery exchanges between Pakistani and Indian troops continued in Kanzalwan, Keran, Macchal, Poonch, Krishnaghati, Nowshera, Sunderbani, Palanwala and Akhnoor sectors, the Army spokesman said, adding Pakistan launched at least 14 Tube-Launched Optically Guided (TOW) missiles in the Chhamb sector during the past three days.

India also responded adequately with firing of anti-tank missiles. The Army spokesman said besides the firing of missiles, India also had other methods to respond to such firing from across the LoC and such methods had been put to use.

About operations in Mushkoh and Kaksar areas, he said military action was continuing in a planned and deliberate manner but refused to elaborate.

To a question on whether there was any indication about Pakistani withdrawal, the spokesman said aerial reconnaissance did not show any signs of troop withdrawal by Pakistan.

A PTI report from Kargil said fierce fighting was on in the Mushkoh valley of the Dras sub-sector with Indian troops re-establishing firm control over Three Pimples and making major advances to recapture strategic position on the Point 5382 and the Bajrang post.

Heavy exchange of artillery shelling and mortar firing continued through last night and today in Mushkoh and Dras in which at least nine Pakistani soldiers were killed while six Indian jawans lost their lives, Army sources said.

Intense battle was reported from the strategic height of the Point 5382 in the Mushkoh valley as Indian troops moved in for hand-to-hand combat to regain the Bajrang post.

Soldiers of 17th Battalion of the Jat Regiment yesterday re-established firm control over Three Pimples on the Tololing ridgeline where Pakistani regulars had made major advances after Indian troops had recaptured that post three weeks ago.

During the mopping up operations, bodies of three Pakistani armymen, recovered from the foothills of the Tiger Hill and the "rocky knob" on the Tololing ridges, were identified as those of Major Iqbal, Capt Sher Khan and Naik Mohd Nazir. All of them belonged to the 12th battalion of the Northern Light Infantry.

A large number of shallow pits full of intruders’ bodies were also found near the recently recaptured positions on the Tiger Hill and nearby peaks.