Army says attackers ''belonged'' to Jaish, had equipment with Pak markings

New Delhi/Islamabad, September 18

Stung by the deadliest ever attack on the Army in Jammu and Kashmir, DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Sunday called up his counterpart in Pakistan expressing "serious concerns" over Pakistani markings found on the equipment used by four "foreign" terrorists suspected to be belonging to Pakistan-based terror group JeM.

Pakistan, however, refuted as "unfounded and premature" India's charge that it was behind the Uri terrorist attack, with its army demanding "actionable intelligence" to support New Delhi's accusation.

Initial reports suggest the four terrorists killed in the Uri attack were from Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said in a brief statement to the media at the South Block in New Delhi.

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He added that since "the terrorists had some items with Pakistani markings, I have spoken to Pakistan DGMO and conveyed our serious concern on the same".

He said the terrorists had fired incendiary ammunition along with automatic fire of small arms that led to army tents and temporary shelters catching fire.

"There have been a total of 17 Army fatal casualties. Of these, 13-14 casualties have been due to these tents/shelters having caught fire," he said.

The senior Army officer, in charge of the force's operations, asserted that the Indian Army remains prepared to thwart any nefarious designs and any evil designs of the adversary shall be given a befitting reply.

The DGMO said that four AK 47 rifles and four Under Barrel Grenade Launchers along with a large number of other war-like stores were recovered from the group of heavily armed terrorists.

He said the operation for clearance of the area is still in progress and a very deliberate search is being carried out in the entire area around the military complex in Uri.

"As such, complete details of the operation are not yet available. However, the operation is being carried out by the Indian Army in a very professional manner and the Army personnel have displayed exceptionally high standards of courage and gallantry while neutralising the terrorists," Lt Gen Singh said.

Amid reports that intelligence agencies had warned of a possible attack, he said all the intelligence agencies are working in close synergy with the security forces and regular intelligence inputs are received from concerned agencies and necessary action is being taken accordingly.

He said Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag has visited the site of operation and taken an "on the ground" assessment of the situation.

Defence Minister, who too visited Srinagar, will be updated by Suhag on the situation.

"We salute the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers following the highest traditions of Indian Army," he said.

Pakistan army spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said following the Uri attack DGMOs of the two countries discussed the situation along the Line of Control through hotline.

"Refuting the unfounded and pre-mature Indian allegation, Pakistani DGMO asked his counterpart to share any actionable intelligence," Radio Pakistan reported citing an ISPR release.

Bajwa reiterated that no infiltration was allowed from the Pakistani soil because of "water-tight arrangements" in place on both sides of LoC and the Working Boundary. — TNS/PTI