Pak's morphed casualty videos are black propaganda: Army

Army has stepped up vigil in border areas to foil any attempt by Pakistan-based terror groups to avenge the surgical strike. Representation pic

New Delhi: A member of special operations team that carried out surgical strikes across LoC received minor injury during exfiltration but it was not due to any enemy or terrorist action, Army sources said yesterday, trashing reports in Pakistan about Indian casualties during the operation.

They said some Pakistani TV channels are playing "morphed" video clips showing Indian Army casualties as part of "black propaganda". "One member of the team involved in Surgical Operation received minor injury during exfiltration. The injury is not on account of any enemy or terrorist action," the sources said.

Soldier held captive in Pak
Indian Army sources said, in another incident, a soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan side of LoC in Mendhar Sector and Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO about it on the hotline. All attempts are being made to secure his release, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said yesterday. Singh said the government has taken note of the reports which stated that an Indian soldier is in Pakistan's captivity.

The home minister also said that New Delhi will take up the matter with Islamabad for his early release. Indian Army sources had said on Thursday, "One soldier from 37 RR with weapon has inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control. Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO on the hotline."

Sources had said that his crossing over was not related to the surgical strikes. "Such inadvertent crossing by Army and civilians is not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms," they had said.