A top commander of the Indian Army, heading strategic Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur, Lt-Gen Ranbir Singh on Thursday confirmed that Pakistani army has suffered heavy damages in the recent retaliatory strikes along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch sectors.

Unofficial reports had earlier claimed that at least five Pakistan army personnel were killed and three others seriously injured when the Indian troops launched major retaliatory action to silence the roaring Pak guns on the LoC, which had been targeting forward posts of Army and civilian areas in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

The Line of Control witnessed strong retaliation close on the heels of a statement made by the Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat that the Army won’t hesitate from taking strong action against inimical designs of Pakistan on the LoC.

On Thursday when  media persons posed a straight query to Lt-Gen Ranbir Singh, GOC-In-C Northern Command, to confirm media reports related to elimination of five Pakistani soldiers by Indian forces in retaliation in the last few days, Lt-Gen Singh said, "in the last few days, as you mentioned in your question, 5 Pakistanis were killed, it shows that Indian Army is always ready to give them a befitting reply. “We are one step ahead of Pakistan and are giving befitting reply to them", he added. 

Lt-Gen Singh was talking to media after inaugurating a bridge at Kalai in Poonch district.

In response to another question he said, “2018 has been a great year for the security forces, more than 250 terrorists were killed, 54 were caught alive, and 4 surrendered to the forces”.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Pakistani army again resorted to heavy firing in Jhangar, Laam, Pukherni and Peer Bhadreshwar areas of Rajouri district, prompting the Indian Army to retaliate in equal measure.

On Tuesday, Pakistan killed BSF’s assistant commandant in sniper firing on the international border in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district on Tuesday.

Last Friday, a Major rank army officer, soldier and a porter were martyred in Nowshera and Sunderbani sectors of Rajouri district.

Indian Army, meanwhile, continued to maintain high alert all along the LoC in view of reports that Pakistani troops could try to push infiltrators into the Indian side.