‘Don’t mistake silence for weakness’: Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif condemns surgical strikes by Indian Army along LoC

"Our desire for peace should not be interpreted as our weakness", Nawaz Sharif was quoted as saying by the Pakistani media.

New Delhi, September 29: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday warned India after Indian Army struck terror launch pads along the Line of Control, late on Wednesday night, claiming the lives of two Pakistani soldiers, and injuring nine others. Pakistani media on Thursday said that Sharif has condemned the strikes, along with sending a subtle warning to India, saying that Pakistan’s silence should not be misconstrued as its weakness. Sharif’s condemnation of the attack comes on the day the Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high level security meeting with the Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS), after media reports suggested that the Indian Army had conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads along the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday night.

“We condemn this attack. Our desire for peace should not be interpreted as our weakness”, Nawaz Sharif was quoted as saying by the Pakistani media. Responding to reports of surgical strikes along the LoC, Sharif said, “We are ready for the safety and defence of our country.” On Thursday afternoon, the Army DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, along with official spokes man of Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup addressed a media, confirming that strikes had been undertaken by the Army. “Based on very specific and credible information which we received yesterday, that some terrorist teams had positioned themselves at launch pads along the LoC, with an aim to carry out infiltration, and terrorist strikes in Jammu and Kashmir and other metro cities in our country, the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes last night on the launch pads”, Singh said a press conference. ALSO READ: Narendra Modi chairs Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, assesses situation on Line of Control

 “The operations were basically focused to ensure that these terrorists do not succeed in their design of infiltration and carrying out destruction and endagering the lives of citizens of our country”, Singh added. No Indian casualties were reported during the strikes that took place on Wednesday night. Singh also said that he had spoken to the Pakistan DGMO and had expressed India’s concerns, informing him about the strikes. He said that significant damage was caused to the terror outfits during the strikes. The strikes are India’s response to the terror attack on the Army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, which took place earlier this month, and resulted in the death of 18 Indian soldiers and injured 19 others. Meanwhile, Pakistan has denied that surgical strikes have taken place, saying that the country is ready to tackle any such assault.

Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations official was quoted as saying by ANI, “Pakistan has made it clear that if there is a surgical strike on Pakistani soil, same will be strongly responded.” Pakistani ISPR said that the casualties caused on Pakistani side were instead the result of a “cross-border fire initiated by India”, ANI reported. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has confirmed the casualties and injuries on the Pakistani side.

#FLASH We condemn this attack, our desire for peace should not be interpreted as our weakness, says Pak PM Nawaz Sharif – Pak Media

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016

We are ready for the safety and defence of our country, says Pak PM Nawaz Sharif – Pak Media (on surgical strikes by Indian Army)

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016

Pak PM Sharif: Strongly condemned the unprovoked & naked aggression of Indian forces resulting in martyrdom of two Pak soldiers along LoC

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016