Manohar Parrikar condemns cowardly killing of Indian soldiers by Pakistan

Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday condemned the cowardly and brutal killing of Indian soldiers by Pakistan at LoC.

He tweeted, "Condemn the cowardly and brutal killing of our soldiers and mutilation of one of them. Salute these brave martyrs for their supreme sacrifice."

Three soldiers were killed in Jammu and Kashmir, and one of them was beheaded, in the second incident of mutilation of a soldier's body in a month, the Army said, vowing "heavy retribution for the cowardly act".

The incident took place in Machhil sector of the Line of Control, which divides the state between India and Pakistan, in Kupwara district.

Parrikar was briefed about the situation by Army Vice Chief Lt Gen. Bipin Rawat, officials said.

"The cowardly act of mutilating the body of one of the Indian soldiers had all the signatures of a BAT (Border Action Team) operation by Pakistan Army using terrorists and its soldiers," said officials, as per IANS.

"3 soldiers killed in action on LC in Machhil. Body of one soldier mutilated, retribution will be heavy for this cowardly act," the Army's Northern Command said in a tweet.

#JKOps 3 soldiers killed in action on LC in Machhal. Body of one soldier mutilated, retribution will be heavy for this cowardly act @adgpi — NorthernComd.IA (@NorthernComd_IA) November 22, 2016

On October 28, the body of an Indian soldier was mutilated by terrorists, who fled back to the Pakistan-occupied part of Kashmir under supportive fire cover by Pakistani troops.

In response, the Indian Army carried out a heavy assault in Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir, destroying four Pakistani posts.

According to figures given by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre in the Lok Sabha last week, till November 14 this year, eight Army personnel have been killed and 59 injured.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Bhamre also said that there has been an increase in infiltration attempts since the killing of militant leader Burhan Wani on July 8.

(With Agency inputs)