With Pakistan on constant denial mode, the Indian Army is believed to have given its nod to the government to use the video footage of September 28 operation in PoK in any manner it sees fit to make the country’s case.
According to The Economic Times, top Army officers are keen that India release evidence that will silence those alleging the strikes were fake.
The Army’s move comes in the backdrop of Pakistan’s military and media constantly alleging that the strikes never happened and that it was just cross-border firing with small arms and mortar that left two of its officers dead.
The report mentioned that Army has ample evidence to show the strikes were highly effective.
The surgical strikes across LoC were recorded on cameras. The videos were shot using drones and some cameras are said to have been set up on the heads of Special Commandos carrying out the operation. It is also said that photographs were also clicked by both ground troops and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that were deployed to monitor the operation.
The ET report, quoting top government officials, stated that the decision on whether or not to release the strike footage rests with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
“There is no doubt at all that the strikes inflicted heavy damage. Proof is available with the government that clearly shows our troops engaging the targets effectively,” a senior government official said.
Indian Army penetrated around three kilometers into enemy's territory and targeted at least seven terrorists launchpads. Lt General Ranbir Singh, the Army's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), had said the strikes inflicted ‘significant casualties’ on the terrorists and their supporters.
The strikes, which included para commandos and helicopters, were India’s first direct military response to the attack in Uri which left 18 soldiers dead.
