Agencies, Mathura
Chief of Army Staff Gen Bikram Singh today refuted allegations of Pakistan that Indian soldiers had crossed the Line of Control. ‘The Indian armymen never crossed the LoC and all the claims of Pakistan in this connection are false,’ Gen Singh told reporters here.
The Army chief was here to meet the grief-stricken family of Lance Naik Hemraj, who was recently killed by Pakistani troops at the LoC, at the martyr’s native village Shernagar Kherar. Gen Singh said the allegations of the Pakistan that one soldier of their country was killed by Indian Army holds no truth.
Hemraj has laid down his life for the nation and his sacrifice would not go in vain, the Army chief added. All assistance would be extended to Hemraj’s family and also efforts would be made for development of the village, Gen Singh stated. Condemning the brutal deaths of the Indian soldiers, he said ‘the Army is ready for any kind of sacrifice for the nation and justice.’ The neighbouring country should be taught a lesson, he noted.
Corps Commander Lt General P R Kumar also visited the village and garlanded the portrait of the martyr. On January 8, two Indian soldiers were killed by the Pakistan Army at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
Of them, Lance Naik Hemraj was beheaded and his severed head was allegedly taken away by the Pakistani troops.
The kin of Hemraj had gone on hunger strike, seeking the return of his severed head. UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh and BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari and Rajnath Singh had also visited Hemraj’s village.
