Indian Army refutes news on surgical strike published in Dainik Jagran; clarifies that infiltration bid was foiled

The False Report

On August 22, 2023, Dainik Jagran published a report claiming that the commandoes of the Indian Army Special Forces crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and conducted another major surgical strike neutralising eight terrorists and several launch pads. According to the report, several SF commandoes crossed over to the Kolti and destroyed four terror launch pads killing at least seven or eight terrorists.

The Jagran Report said that this operation was conducted on August 19, 2023.

Statement by the Indian Army

The Indian Army, in a statement, however, refuted the report, which claimed that the SF Commandoes crossed over to the POJK (essentially crossing the LOC) Line of Control and neutralised terror launchpads. Sources in the Indian Army said that no surgical strikes were conducted, but an infiltration attempt by Pakistan was spoiled.

According to the Indian Army, there was a huge squad of terrorists attempting to infiltrate India from the Balakot Sector of Jammu and Kashmir. It was said that on August 21, 2023; two terrorists were discovered and detected by alert troops to make attempts to cross the LoC onto the Indian Side, making use of weather-dense fog, thick foliage and then undulating ground in the Hamirpur area of the Balakot Sector,

Intelligence inputs from multiple intelligence agencies from the Jammu and Kashmir Police revealed the presence of terrorists waiting to cross the LOC from opposite sides of the Balakot Sector. Based on these inputs, the surveillance grids were placed on high alert, and multiple ambushes were sited at suitable locations, the army statement read.

When the terrorists tried to infiltrate, the Indian Army engaged them in a heavy fire forcing them to retreat, making use of the weather conditions. “However, the effective fire resulted in one terrorist falling down near the LoC. Additional troops were deployed, and search operations commenced in the afternoon and after the improvement of the weather conditions and visibility,” it said.

Weapons and Ammunition recovered

The statement said that during the ground search, an AK-47 assault rifle was recovered along with Pakistan-made medicines, two magazines and 30 live rounds along with two grenades. Interestingly, a blood trail was also discovered.

Given the blood trail and the fact that one terrorist was killed after a retaliatory fire, it is likely that at least one of the terrorists died due to fire by the Indian Army.