Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistan denies Indian troops crossing LoC

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad Oct 13, IRNA
Pakistan-India-Kashmir
The Pakistan military Thursday dismissed as "fabricated and baseless" reports that Indian soldiers have crossed the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region in order to help Pakistani soldiers, and said Pakistan will not allow Indian troops to cross the line.

The Indian media reported that the Indian Army on Wednesday crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to help Pakistani soldiers remove the rubble of a bunker in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

"This report is completely baseless. There is no truth in it. I totally reject the report," Pakistan's Army Spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan told Geo television.

Indian Defence Spokesman Col. Himmat Juneja has been quoted by the Indian media as saying 10 Pakistani soldiers sought help from the other side of the damaged `Aman Setu' (Peace Bridge) on Wednesday after which the Indian soldiers crossed the LoC from the `Nallah' and helped their Pakistani counterparts in removing the rubble and erecting the bunker.

Sultan also denied reports that any of Pakistani military bunkers along the LoC had been damaged as the result of the earthquake, and said all are safe.

"This is totally incorrect that Indian soldiers came deep into our fighting bunkers," he said.

The spokesman also rejected reports that the earthquake caused damage to nuclear installations and said all of Pakistan's installations are safe.

The nuclear installations are robust and they even afford direct hits and withstand severe quake shocks, Sultan said.

To a question about the relief activities, the spokesman said that the activities had been stepped up.

He said that five field hospitals have been established in Muzaffarabad -- two by the Pakistan Army, one by the Pakistan Air Force, one by France and one by Russia.

The International Committee for the Red Cross is also
establishing one hospital within two days, he added.

He said that three people were pulled out alive today and that there were still hopes of finding more people alive.

Sultan said that routes have been opened between Muzaffarabad and the Chakoti town along the LoC.

He said rescue teams were being sent to Neelam Valley along the LoC as well as Kaghan Valley in northern Pakistan.

"Army engineers are engaged in clearing roads in the affected areas," the spokesman said, and added that helicopters are also identifying affected spots deep inside mountainous areas.

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