Saturday 2 March 2019

India and Pakistan: Clashes on the line of control

This is the media version of events

Some people think this is being "over-hyped".

I don't think so.

Consider the latest from Twitter before reading the article.

India and Pakistan do skirmish from time to time but in the context this could indicate something more.

INDIA OPENS SUDDEN ARTILLERY ATTACK ON PAKISTAN - FEROCIOUS FIGHTING ONGOING - 10 DEAD SO FAR

HalTurner,

1 March, 2019

BREAKING NEWS 2:03 PM EST -- India has begun a massive artillery attack on Pakistan, with 155mm artillery raining down on Pakistan along the "Line of Control (LoC)." Ferocious fighting is taking place, spreading and getting worse.

At least ten people are dead so far, reported to be at least 5 Pakistani soldiers and 5 other civilians. Houses are reportedly being demolished as artillery shells rain down.

There are now ALSO reports that India is allegedly firing MISSILES, and that Pakistan is firing Missile Interceptors. Video below seems to prove Pakistani claims of firing missile interceptors:

LIVE UPDATES BELOW:

2:07 PM EST -- Seven civilians killed, more than 25 injured.
7 houses destroyed in cross LoC shelling by Indian Army.
Shelling reported from Poonch, Kotli, Tatapani, and Neelum sectors.
2:10 PM EST -- Every sector of Azad, Kashmir is being shelled by India Artillery

As clashes at LoC continue, a feeling of remorse is setting in within Pakistani circles. Many people (in media, military, intelligence, diplomatic and political circles) are feeling that Pakistan has given too much of a concession to India by returning the captured India fighter pilot shot down earlier this week, in return for nothing .
. .

2:14 PM EST -- India using short range missile in Nakyal and Samani Sector. 3 civilian casualties in Nakyal so far.
2:48 PM EST -- So many wounded that Hospitals in northern Pakistan now facing shortage of blood. People around the area are requested to donate blood to nearest hospital in Kotli. Urgent need: O negative

3:21 PM EST -- According to locals, India fired short range missiles on civilians in Kotli Azad Kashmir. Pakistan army destroyed two missiles in air & one hit civilians.

30 civilians KILLED so far; hundreds are injured.

3:33 PM EST -- A former IC colleague of mine, who I know personally, has talked to multiple Pakistani soldiers currently posted at the LoC and to many other people who have talked to their friends at LoC. There are VERY SEVERE clashes going on between India & Pakistan right now. May continue all night. Likely to get FAAAAAAR worse.

4:01 PM EST -- My contacts just told me that India is using 214mm Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL). This is very heavy firepower, definitely far heavier than the usual artillery duels. FILE PHOTO below:

3:21 PM EST -- According to locals, India fired short range missiles on civilians in Kotli Azad Kashmir. Pakistan army destroyed two missiles in air & one hit civilians.

30 civilians KILLED so far; hundreds are injured.

3:33 PM EST -- A former IC colleague of mine, who I know personally, has talked to multiple Pakistani soldiers currently posted at the LoC and to many other people who have talked to their friends at LoC. There are VERY SEVERE clashes going on between India & Pakistan right now. May continue all night. Likely to get FAAAAAAR worse.

Pakistan is now allegedly responding with the M115 Howitzer; FILE PHOTO Below:

PERSPECTIVE

Both India and Pakistan have what is called an "Escalation Ladder" on how they will - theoretically - respond to hostilities between the two countries. THE CHART BELOW SHOWS EACH SIDE'S "STEPS:" (Click Image Twice to enlarge)

4:48 PM EST -- Pakistani snipers have reportedly killed multiple Indian forces at the Line of Control.

-Numerous civilian casualties on Pakistan side.

5:02 PM EST -- NOW CONFIRMED: Pakistan Army retaliating to Indian Army fire with 203 mm M115 Artillery shells.

5:30 PM EST -- CONFIRMED: AT LEAST 7 Indian soldiers killed by Pakistan Army.

6:00 PM EST - All Pakistani hospitals have declared urgent need for blood. The situation is getting worse from hour to hour; Hundreds of civilians are wounded and bleeding badly. Thousands more are fleeing.

Mass-media: Silent.

From earlier

Pakistan-India Update - March 1

Weird things are taking place in the ongoing military skirmishes between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan has announced it is boycotting a special meeting of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) called by the United Arab Emirates, because the India Foreign Minister was invited as a Special Guest. This is the first time Pakistan has boycotted the OIC since it was founded in 1969.

Indian Deputy Commissioner Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon, Amritsar: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman - who was shot down and captured by Pakistan - will cross the border today back into India. Can't tell you exact time since there are certain formalities. A senior Indian Air force team from Delhi will be the ones to receive him.

Initially, the pilot was _supposed_ to be released at Noon local time. That was delayed until 3:00 PM local time. As of now, 9:04 AM EST multiple outlets began reporting the handover of the captured pilot has now taken place - - - but new reports say Indian and Pakistani armies are exchanging fire in as many as 8 different locations along the Line of Control (LoC) right now, Pakistan has ‘delayed’ the release of captured Indian pilot.

The map below shows the Line of Control:

In the meantime, Shelling continues across the Line of Control (LoC) in Chakothi, Battal, Tattapani Nakiyal Samahni Sectors.

India reports 12 more Civilians Injured and Pakistan reports many houses damaged in Pakistan.

Pakistan air space was briefly reported as having been reopened for all local and international commercial flights. All the airlines were informed and flight operations were to be completely restored; then New Notice to Airmen and Mariners (NOTAM) was issued for Pakistan Airspace. The airspace remains closed for another 3 days.

India on Thursday ‘removed’ Air Marshal C Hari Kumar from the post of Indian Air Force’s Eastern Air Command over "failing to shoot Pakistani targets and losing three warplanes"

Meanwhile, Pakistan is now saying In the occupied Kashmir, 15 Indian soldiers were killed in the fighting between Mujahideen and Indian Army.

As of 9:13 AM EST-- India's largest independent News Agency @ians_india reports: IAFPilot Wing Commandor Abhinandan was on March 1 evening handed over to Indian High Commission officials at Pakistan's Wagah Border, Indian officials said.

Like I said earlier . . . weird.

Some more tweets from a Pakistani source