Army Chief compliments Northern Command for anti-terror op

New Delhi, Sep 30: Army Chief Dalbir Singh today complimented all ranks of Udhampur-based Northern Command for successfully conducting the "surgical strike" on terrorist launchpads across the LoC in which "significant casualties" were inflicted on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from PoK.

Sources said the army was ready to deal with any possible attack from Pakistani side in response to the "clinical strike" carried out by para commandos of the army.

The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (Army) in Ministry of Defence here said the army chief complimented the Northern Command for successfully planning and implementing the strike, seen as a reprisal for the Uri attack.

The sources said the decision on the "surgical strike" was taken soon after the attack on the Uri army base on September 18. They said India was ready with contingency plans considering the possibilities that Pakistan may retaliate in the wake of the surgical strike.

The Army also trashed reports in Pakistan about Indian casualties during the operation, saying one member of the special forces received minor injury while returning but it was not due to any enemy or terrorist action.

It has been estimated that casualties was at least 40 on Pakistani side but there was no official confirmation. The operation was "clinically" planned and the attack on each of the seven launch pads located in Leepa, Tattapani, Kel and Bhimbar were carried out simultaneously, sources said.

The sources said it was a moonless night and total darkness helped the special forces bring the element of surprise with total effectiveness.

It has been estimated that casualties was at least 40 on Pakistani side but there was no official confirmation. Choppers also hovered over several sectors on the Indian side of the LoC to divert attention of the Pakistani security forces guarding various post. There were unconfirmed reports that the operation has been videographed using drones.

There have been satellite images of the operation, the sources said. Meanwhile, one more soldier, who was critically injured in the terror attack on Army's Uri base 12 days ago, today died of his wounds, taking the total number of army personnel killed in the strike to 19.

Naik Raj Kishor Singh was undergoing treatment at Army's Research and Referral Hospital here. "Gen Dalbir Singh #COAS & all Rks #IndianArmy pay homage & salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Nk Raj Kishor Singh, #UriAttack," the ADG PI (Army) tweeted.

PTI