Pak elements plant mines on our territory: India

Pakistani elements have from time to time planted landmines on the Indian side of Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir to cause casualties to Indian troops, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Monday.

Antony told the Lok Sabha that in the recent past it has come to the notice of India that Pakistani elements planted mines on November 24-26, 2012 in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district.

The Krishna Ghati sector witnessed the beheading of an Indian soldier by Pakistani Army regulars who had crossed over to the Indian side of LoC in January.

Lance Naik Hemraj was beheaded while Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh was killed and his body mutilated.

"Intelligence reports indicate that from time to time Pakistan undertakes offensive actions planting mines on Indian side to cause casualties to Indian troops," Antony said.

The minister gave this information in a written reply to a question whether Pakistan Army plants mines in Indian Territory to prevent Indian troops from patrolling the LoC.

Antony also said all incidents of ceasefire violations are raised with Pakistan through established mechanism of hotlines, flag meetings and Director Generals of Military Operations.

It may be recalled that the Indian Army in January released photographs of landmines allegedly planted by Pakistani troops on the Indian side of the LoC.

The Army had shared these photographs with Pakistan at the Brigadier-level flag meeting at Chakan-da-Bagh in the Poonch Sector to defuse tension after the beheading incident.