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2013 India-Pakistan border incident
Part of Indo-Pakistan cold war
The Map of Line of Control, 2013
Date January 8 2013 — Location Line of Control Result de-escalation PHF hockey players departed from PHL tournament Visa Agreement put on hold until further due.
Belligerents
India  Indian Army	Pakistan  Pakistan Army
Commanders and leaders
Gen. Bikram Singh (Chief of Army Staff) Sushil Kumar Shinde (Minister of Home Affairs)	Gen. Ashfaq Kiani (Chief of Army Staff) Hina Khar (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
Units involved
IA Northern Command	File:X Corps (Pakistan).gif X Corps
Casualties and losses
2 soldier †	2 solider  †

The 2013 India-Pakistan border incident were a series of border clashes that occured between Pakistan and India in January 2013. Hostilities began on January 6 when Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. According to Pakistan, Indian troops raided a military post in the Haji Pir sector of Azad Kashmir, killing one Pakistani soldier and injuring another. On January 8 2013, India claimed that Pakistan killed two Indian soldiers and mutilated their bodies. Pakistani officials have stated the claims are unfounded and that they would welcome an investigation from the UN. The incident sparked outrage across the Indian media. The two soldiers, named Sudhakar Singh and Hemraj, were first shot, and then decapitated.

After a brief phone conversation between Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia and his Pakistani counterpart Major General Ashfaq Nadeem, an Indian spokesman told that the Indian Army has reached an understanding with Pakistan to de-escalate the situation.

Incident

Pakistani claim

On 6 January 2013, Pakistan Army sources reported that Indian troops raided the Sawan Patra military checkpost of Pakistan in Azad Kashmir, during which one Pakistani soldier was killed and another injured. Both sides continued to exchange fire across the Line of Control. According to an army spokesman, the Pakistan Army repulsed the attack.

On January 11 2013, Indian troops fired across the border and killed another Pakistani soldier, making it the third deadly incident since skirmishes began. On January 15, 2013, a fourth Pakistani soldier was reported to be killed by Indian forces during firing from the Indian side.

Indian claim

The incident happened between Chhatri and Atma outposts on the LoC in Mankote area of Krishna Ghati, J&K, at 10:30 am on January 8 2013. According to the Indian Army, a Pakistan Army 'Border Action Team', wearing black combat uniforms, crossed over the LoC and ambushed an Indian Army patrol team 600 metres inside Indian territory. The Pakistani soldiers took advantage of the foliage and dense fog and opened fire on an area-domination unit of Sector 10, killing two soldiers of 13 Rajputana Rifles and injuring two others. The Sector-10 headquarters in Mendhar area of Poonch district was operating under the Rajouri-based 25th Division.

According to the Indian Army, the firefight lasted for approximately 30 minutes, after which the intruders retreated from the Indian territory. Two soldiers Lance Naik Hemraj and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh were killed and their bodies were found mutilated and one was decapitated. The dead bodies were then recovered and the injured soldiers were airlifted and admitted to the Army’s Command Hospital.

Background

According to the Washington Post, an unnamed Indian security official claims that the incident could be traced back to Pakistani shelling of Indian outposts in September. According to the source, the Indian army had built outposts after a woman had crossed the LoC to see her sons on the Pakistani side of the border. Pakistan viewed these as a violation of the cease-fire and began shelling the area, killing three civilians. The Indian army however says that the woman had crossed the border in September 2011 and that the incident had nothing to do with recent events.

Hafiz Saeed

The Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, on 9 January 2012, said that the 2008 Mumbai attacks mastermind and Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafiz Saeed has visited the Indo-Pakistani border a few days before the Indian soldiers were killed. He cited intelligence obtained by Indian intelligence agencies, said that they were trying to obtain more information on it. However, Saeed rejected the claim, calling it a "blatant lie" and challenged the Indian government to prove the allegation. He said that India was trying to shift focus from its internal problems and was exploiting the sentiments against Pakistan.

Aftermath

Political Reactions

India

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that this incident had seriously damaged the ongoing peace process and "after this dastardly act, there can’t be business as usual with Pakistan." Bikram Singh, the Chief of Army Staff of India said that "We reserve the right to retaliate at a time of our choosing." Bikram Singh said,"The attack on January 8 was premeditated, a pre-planned activity. Such an operation requires planning, detailed reconnaissance." The Army also released the photos of landmines planted by Pakistan in Indian land.

Pakistan

Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said to the media that she was "unpleasantly surprised" by India’s accusations. She further said that "Pakistan’s government and its people have demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to normalize and improve relations with India and to really start a journey of trust-building."

International

•  People's Republic of China - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said: “As a neighbour and friend of both India and Pakistan, we sincerely hope that the two countries properly and calmly resolve the dispute through dialogue and consultation, so as to maintain peace and stability in South Asia.” He further said "India and Pakistan are important countries in South Asia"
•  United States - United States State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that the United States was urging India and Pakistan to “de-escalate” after the recent clashes and continue high-level consultations to work through their differences.

Return of Pakistan Hockey Players

Due to the tensions building between the two nations and as a sign of protest, the Indian Government on 15 January decided to send back the Pakistani hockey players who were in India to participate in the hockey league.

Effect on Visa Agreement

The Indian government has put on hold a plan to issue visas to Pakistani senior citizens on arrival in India.Though the government sources initially mentioned that the agreement was delayed, a senior home ministry official said that the deal was put on hold for some time.

References

1. "Beheading of Indian soldiers 'unpardonable' act, says Army chief General Bikram Singh". Indian Express. Jan 14 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. ^ "India and Pakistan: Growing more serious". The Economist. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
3. India and Pakistan in Kashmir border skirmish
4. ^ "Indian troops raid Pakistani military post, killing one: Pakistan Army". The Express Tribune. 6 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
5. ^ North, Andrew (9, January 2013). "India says Pakistan 'beheaded' Kashmir soldier". BBC. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
6. Press, Associated (15, January 2013). "Pakistan says Indian troops kill soldier in Kashmir". USA Today. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. ^ "India's media fuel outrage over soldier's beheading, but real story may be more complex". Washington Post. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
8. Srivastav, Vishal (9 January 2013). "Indian brave-hearts were first shot dead & then beheaded: Indian Army". pardaphash.com. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
9. "India, Pakistan agree to reduce border tensions: army". Live Mint. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
10. "India, Pakistan to 'de-escalate' border tensions, Army says". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
11. Pakistani soldier killed by Indian gunfire
12. Indian firing kills yet another soldier on LoC: ISPR
13. "India says Pakistani troops entered its territory in Kashmir, killed 2 soldiers". The Washington Post. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
14. ^ "Pak troops cross LoC, kill two jawans in Poonch". The Hindu. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
15. "Defence Ministry formally confirms beheading of soldier". The Hindu. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
16. "India to point out Pak Army role in 2 soldiers' killing in Mendhar during flag meet today". India Today. 14 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
17. Denyer, Simon (10, January 2013). "India's media fuel outrage over soldier's beheading, but real story may be more complex". Washington Post. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
18. "From denials to peace offers: Who said what on the LoC crisis". First Post. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
19. "Terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed visited PoK before Pak attack: Sushilkumar Shinde". Indian Express. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
20. Timmons, Heather (15, January 2013). "Skirmishes Threaten Pakistan-India Thaw". New York Times. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
21. Sanjeev Miglani (14 January 2013). "India alleges Pakistan cross-border attack was 'pre-planned,' warns of retaliation". Retrieved 16 January 2013.
22. "Pakistani troops planted landmines on Indian soil, says Army, releases pictures as proof". NDTV. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
23. "LoC tensions for India, Pakistan to resolve: China". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
24. "Hockey loses to Indo-Pak row: All 9 Pakistani players taking part in HIL to return home". India Today. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
25. "India-Pak visa agreement put on hold". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 16 January 2013.

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Category:India–Pakistan relations

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