View source for 2016 Indian Line of Control strike

{{short description|Alleged cross border strike by Indian forces}}

{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{infobox military conflict
| conflict          = 2016 Indian Line of Control Surgical Strike
| partof            = [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|Indo-Pakistani conflicts]],<br />[[Kashmir conflict]]<br />and [[India–Pakistan border skirmishes (2016–2018)]]
| image             = [[File:Kashmir region 2004.jpg|300px]]
| caption           = The Map of [[Line of Control]]
| date              = 28–29 September 2016<br />({{Age in months, weeks and days|year1=2016|month1=09|day1=28|year2=2016|month2=09|day2=29}})
| place             = [[Line of Control]]                                                            
| result            = 
*Successful surgical strike across the Line of Control, terrorist bases neutralised (Indian claim)<ref name="says_hits"/>
*Skirmishes along the Line of Control, Line of Control not crossed by Indian troops (Pakistani claim)<ref name="says_hits"/>
*Start of [[India–Pakistan border skirmishes (2016–2018)|2016-2018 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]
| status            = 
| combatants_header = 
| combatant1        = {{IND}}
* {{army|IND}}
| combatant2        = [[File:Flag of Lashkar-e-Taiba.svg|22px]] [[Lashkar-e-Taiba|LeT]]<br />{{small|(Indian claim)}}<ref name="denial_suits">{{cite news|title=Surgical strikes: Pakistan denial suits us for now, we will change tactics if provoked again, says top official|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/surgical-strikes-uri-attack-india-pakistan-terrorists-3062311/|access-date=3 October 2016|work=The Indian Express|date=3 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003014633/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/surgical-strikes-uri-attack-india-pakistan-terrorists-3062311/|archive-date=3 October 2016}}</ref><br />
[[File:Jaishi-e-Mohammed.svg|22px]] [[Jaish-e-Mohammed|JeM]]<br />{{small|(Indian claim)}}<ref name="denial_suits"/>
[[File:Flag of Jihad.svg|22px]] [[Hizbul-Mujahideen|HuM]]<br />{{small|(Indian claim)}}<ref name="denial_suits"/>
| combatant3        = {{PAK}}
* {{army|PAK}}
| commander1        = [[File:Flag of India.svg|22px]] [[Pranab Mukherjee]]<br /><sub>([[President of India]])</sub><br />[[File:Flag of India.svg|22px]] [[Narendra Modi]]<br /><sub>([[Prime Minister of India]])</sub><br />[[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|22px]] [[General|Gen.]] [[Dalbir Singh Suhag]]<br /><small>([[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army|Chief of Army Staff]])</small><br />[[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|22px]] [[Lieutenant General|Lt.Gen.]] [[Ranbir Singh (general)|Ranbir Singh]]<br /><small>(Director-General of Military Operations)</small><br />[[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|22px]] [[Lieutenant General|Lt.Gen.]] [[Deependra Singh Hooda]]<br /><small>([[Northern Command (India)|GOC-in-C, Northern Command]])</small><br />{{flagicon|India}} [[Manohar Parrikar]]<br /><sub>([[Minister of Defence (India)|Minister of Defence]])</sub>
| commander2        = Unknown
| commander3        = [[File:Flag of the President of Pakistan.svg|22px]] [[Mamnoon Hussain]]<br /><sub>([[President of Pakistan]])</sub><br />[[File:Flag of Pakistan.svg|22px]] [[Nawaz Shareef]]<br /><sub>([[Prime Minister of Pakistan]])</sub><br />[[File:Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg|22px]] Gen. [[Raheel Sharif]]<br /><small>([[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]])</small><br />[[File:Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg|22px]] [[Lieutenant General|Lt.Gen.]] Malik Zafar Iqbal<br /><small>([[X Corps (Pakistan)|X Corps Commander]])</small><br />{{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Khawaja Muhammad Asif]]<br /><small>([[Minister of Defence (Pakistan)|Minister of Defence]])</small>
| units1            = [[File:IA Northern Command.jpg|15px]] [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]<br />[[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]]
*[[File:Para Commandos.jpg|12px]] [[Para (Special Forces)|4 and 9 Para (Special Forces)]]<ref name="inside_strike"/>
| units2            = Unknown
| units3            = [[File:X-corps.gif|20px]] [[X Corps (Pakistan)|X Corps]]
| strength1         = 
| strength2         = 
| strength3         = 
| casualties1       = 1–2 wounded <small>(Indian claim)</small><ref name="inside_strike"/><ref name="says_hits"/><br>8 killed <small>(Pakistan claim)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1286910/|title=8 Indian soldiers killed, one captured, say TV reports|date=29 September 2016}}</ref>
| casualties2       = 35–40 killed <small>(Indian claim) </small><ref name="buries"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/uri-avenged-35-40-terrorists-9-pakistani-soldiers-killed-in-indian-surgical-strikes-say-tv-reports/397625/|date=29 September 2016|title=Uri avenged: 35–40 terrorists, 9 Pakistani soldiers killed in Indian surgical strikes}}</ref>
None Killed <small>(Pakistan claim) </small><ref name="SSA2">{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1286881|title=Army rubbishes Indian 'surgical strikes' claim as two Pakistani soldiers killed at LoC|work=Dawn|date=29 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016|first=Syed Sammer|last=Abbas|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930032051/http://www.dawn.com/news/1286881|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref>
| casualties3       = 2 killed, 9 wounded <small>(Pakistani claim)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-indian-fire-kills-2-pakistani-soldiers-kashmir-20160929-story.html|title=India says it has carried out 'surgical strikes' against militants across Kashmir frontier|first=Tribune news|last=services|website=chicagotribune.com}}</ref><br />2–9 killed <small>(Indian claim)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/uri-avenged-35-40-terrorists-9-pakistani-soldiers-killed-in-indian-surgical-strikes-say-tv-reports/397625/|title=Uri avenged: 35–40 terrorists, 9 Pakistani soldiers killed in Indian surgical strikes, say TV reports|date=29 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/army-conducted-surgical-strikes-on-terror-launch-pads-on-loc-significant-casualties-caused-dgmo/articleshow/54579855.cms|title=4 hours, choppers and 38 kills: How India avenged the Uri attack|date=12 July 2018|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref>
| notes             = 
| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}}
| alt_text          = Jammu and Kashmir locator map
}}

On 29 September 2016, India announced that it conducted [[surgical strike]]s against militant launch pads across the [[Line of Control]] in Pakistani-administered [[Kashmir]], and inflicted "significant casualties".<ref name="DGMO">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-s-surgical-strikes-across-loc-full-statement-by-dgmo-lt-gen-ranbir-singh/story-Q5yrp0gjvxKPGazDzAnVsM.html|title=India's surgical strikes across LoC: Full statement by DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh|work=Hindustan Times|date=29 September 2016|access-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002024056/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-s-surgical-strikes-across-loc-full-statement-by-dgmo-lt-gen-ranbir-singh/story-Q5yrp0gjvxKPGazDzAnVsM.html|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> [[Pakistan]] rejected India's claim,<ref name="CNN" /> and instead claimed that Indian troops did not cross the Line of Control and had only skirmished with Pakistani troops at the border.

Indian media reported the casualty figures variously from 35 to 70.<ref name="FE">{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/uri-avenged-35-40-terrorists-9-pakistani-soldiers-killed-in-indian-surgical-strikes-say-tv-reports/397625/|date=29 September 2016|title=Uri avenged: 35–40 terrorists, 9 Pakistani soldiers killed in Indian surgical strikes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002035024/http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/uri-avenged-35-40-terrorists-9-pakistani-soldiers-killed-in-indian-surgical-strikes-say-tv-reports/397625/|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="para_commandos">{{cite web | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uri-avenged-inside-story-indian-army-surgical-strikes-pok/1/776433.html | title=Surgical strikes in PoK: How Indian para commandos killed 50 terrorists, hit 7 camps | publisher=India Today | date=29 September 2016 | access-date=1 October 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001032146/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uri-avenged-inside-story-indian-army-surgical-strikes-pok/1/776433.html | archive-date=1 October 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="buries" /> [[Pakistan]] accepted the deaths of two Pakistani soldiers and nine wounded.<ref name="Masood">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/world/asia/kashmir-pakistan-india.html?_r=0|title=In Kashmir, Pakistan Questions India's 'Surgical Strikes' on Militants|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=1 October 2016|access-date=1 October 2016|first=Salman|last=Masood|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005070714/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/world/asia/kashmir-pakistan-india.html?_r=0|archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="says_hits" /><ref name="SSA2" />  Pakistani sources reported that at least eight Indian soldiers were killed in the exchange, and one was captured.<ref name="Haider2"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/153627-14-Indian-soldiers-killed-in-clashes-with-Pakistan-Army|title=Indian soldiers killed in clashes with Pakistan Army|work=The News|date=29 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930033205/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/153627-14-Indian-soldiers-killed-in-clashes-with-Pakistan-Army|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref> [[India]] confirmed that one of its soldiers was in Pakistani custody, but denied that it was linked to the incident or that any of its soldiers had been killed.<ref name="NDTV"/> [[Pakistan]] said [[India]] was hiding its casualties.<ref name="ET3">{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1191836/army-forces-fully-prepared-respond-aggression-asim-bajwa/|title=India hiding casualties from cross border fire, Asim Bajwa says|work=The Express Tribune|date=1 October 2016|access-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001114625/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1191836/army-forces-fully-prepared-respond-aggression-asim-bajwa/|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

Media outlets noted that the details regarding the "attack" were still unclear.<ref name="BBC2" /><ref name="NYT" /> Earlier that month, four [[militants]] had [[2016 Uri attack|attacked the Indian army]] at [[Uri, Jammu and Kashmir|Uri]] on 18th September 2016 in the Indian state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], and killed 19 soldiers. [[India|India's]] announcement of the claimed raid on 29 September marked the first time that the government had publicly acknowledged its forces crossing the Line of Control, amidst skepticism and disputing accounts.<ref name="evacuates">{{cite news|title=India evacuates 10,000 from border with Pakistan amid reprisal fears after Kashmir 'strikes'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/30/india-evacuates-10000-from-border-with-pakistan-amid-reprisal-fe/|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=30 September 2016|date=30 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001065030/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/30/india-evacuates-10000-from-border-with-pakistan-amid-reprisal-fe/|archive-date=1 October 2016|last1=Marszal|first1=Andrew}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1191648/called-surgical-strike-indian-farce-throws-challenges/|title=So-called surgical strike: Indian farce throws up a few challenges|work=Express Tribune|date=1 October 2016|access-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002135351/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1191648/called-surgical-strike-indian-farce-throws-challenges/|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> In the succeeding days and months, [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] continued to exchange fires along the border in [[Kashmir]], resulting in dozens of military and civilian casualties on both the sides.

==Background==
On 18 September 2016, a [[2016 Uri attack|''fedayeen'' attack]] was made by four armed militants on an army base near the town of [[Uri, Jammu and Kashmir|Uri]]. Nineteen Indian Army soldiers were killed.  India accused [[Jaish-e-Muhammad]], a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation.<ref>{{citation|author=Sameer Yasir |title=Uri attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammad militants, confirms Indian Army |newspaper=Firstpost |date=21 September 2016 |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/uri-attack-carried-out-by-jaish-e-mohammad-militants-confirms-indian-army-3013332.html}}.</ref> Having come after similar ''fidayeen'' attacks in [[2015 Gurdaspur attack|Gurdaspur]] and [[2016 Pathankot attack|Pathankot]], the Uri attack gave rise to high degree of concern in India.<ref>{{citation |author=Ankit Panda |url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/09/gurdaspur-pathankot-and-now-uri-what-are-indias-options/ |title=Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Now Uri: What Are India's Options? |newspaper=The Diplomat |date=19 September 2016}}</ref> The following day, the Indian army said that it had displayed considerable restraint in the wake of the attacks, but it reserved the right to respond "at the time and place of our own choosing".<ref name="respond_place">{{cite news|title=We will respond at time, place of our choosing: Army on Uri attack|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uri-attacks-we-will-respond-at-time-place-of-our-choosing-says-army/article9124795.ece|access-date=30 September 2016|agency=The Hindu|date=19 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919145019/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uri-attacks-we-will-respond-at-time-place-of-our-choosing-says-army/article9124795.ece|archive-date=19 September 2016}}</ref>

''The Guardian'' said that Indian patience had run out due to Pakistan's inaction in curbing the activities of terrorist organisations such as [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] and [[Jaish-e-Mohammad]].<ref name="Boone">
{{citation |author1=Jon Boone |author2=Michael Safi |title=Pakistan humiliated by south Asian countries' boycott of summit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/28/pakistan-humiliated-by-south-asian-countries-boycott-of-summit |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001163733/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/28/pakistan-humiliated-by-south-asian-countries-boycott-of-summit |archive-date=1 October 2016  }}
</ref> On 21 September, India summoned the Pakistan High Commission Abdul Bassit and gave a protest letter detailing the involvement of a terrorist group based in Pakistan.<ref name="Shishir_Gupta">{{cite news|title=Mission LoC: How India punished Pakistan with surgical strikes|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mission-loc-how-india-punished-pakistan-with-surgical-strikes/story-hup3eHFQc2za87BDWY6MzM.html|access-date=8 October 2016|work=The Hindustan Times|date=3 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007173633/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mission-loc-how-india-punished-pakistan-with-surgical-strikes/story-hup3eHFQc2za87BDWY6MzM.html|archive-date=7 October 2016}}</ref> Pakistan later said that India had provided no evidence that the Uri attack was launched from Pakistan. Pakistan's defence minister suggested that India had carried out the Uri attack to deflect attention from the popular protests in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name="Boone"/> The ''Hindustan Times'' reported that the minister's comments made up an "inflection point", after which India decided to respond militarily.<ref name=Shishir_Gupta/>

Indian officials said that the cross-border infiltration across the [[Line of Control]] had surged since the unrest began in Kashmir. The persons crossing the border showed evidence of military training.<ref name="Guardian2">
{{citation |author1=Jon Boone |author2=Michael Safi |title=India says troops cross Kashmir border to attack as crisis escalates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/29/pakistani-soldiers-killed-surgical-strikes-kashmir-india |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002112024/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/29/pakistani-soldiers-killed-surgical-strikes-kashmir-india |archive-date=2 October 2016  }}
</ref> According to a government source close to Home Minister [[Rajnath Singh]], a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security was held on 24 September, at which "broad details of targeting terrorists" were discussed.<ref name="sealed">{{cite news|title=Surgical Strike was sealed, delivered, kept under wraps until CCS meet|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/surgical-strike-was-sealed-delivered-kept-under-wraps-until-ccs-meet-3059052/|work=The Indian Express|date=1 October 2016|access-date=1 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001010808/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/surgical-strike-was-sealed-delivered-kept-under-wraps-until-ccs-meet-3059052/|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

==Surgical strikes==
On 29 September, eleven days after the [[Uri attack]], the [[Indian Army]] conducted surgical strikes against suspected militants in [[Pakistan-occupied Kashmir|Pakistani-administered Kashmir]]. Lt Gen [[Ranbir Singh (general)|Ranbir Singh]], Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), said that it had received "very credible and specific information" about "terrorist teams" who were preparing to "carry out infiltration and conduct terrorist strikes inside Jammu and Kashmir and in various metros in other states". The Indian action was meant to pre-empt their infiltration.<ref name="BBC2">{{cite web|title=Kashmir attack: India 'launches strikes against militants'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37504308|website=BBC News|access-date=30 September 2016|date=29 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930034806/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37504308|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{citation |author1=Ellen Barry |author2=Salman Masood |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/30/world/asia/kashmir-india-pakistan.html?_r=0 |title=India Claims 'Surgical Strikes' in Pakistani-Controlled Kashmir |newspaper=The New York Times |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=1 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002083642/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/30/world/asia/kashmir-india-pakistan.html?_r=0 |archive-date=2 October 2016  }}</ref> India presented its operation as preemptive self-defence against terrorism, striking against terrorist infrastructure along with "those who are trying to support them." Columnist Ankit Panda thought the latter included Pakistani soldiers or the elements of Pakistani state.<ref name="Panda">
{{citation |author=Ankit Panda |url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/09/indian-forces-cross-line-of-control-to-carry-out-surgical-strikes-first-takeaways/ |title=Indian Forces Cross Line of Control to Carry Out 'Surgical Strikes': First Takeaways |newspaper=The Diplomat |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=1 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930180104/https://thediplomat.com/2016/09/indian-forces-cross-line-of-control-to-carry-out-surgical-strikes-first-takeaways/ |archive-date=30 September 2016  }}
</ref> On 30 September, Indian minister for information and broadcasting [[Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore]] said that there had been no aerial strikes and that the operation had been conducted "on the ground".<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/rathore-rules-out-use-of-copters-aerial-strikes/article9165152.ece|title=Rathore rules out use of copters, aerial strikes|work=The Hindu|access-date=2 October 2016|date=30 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002194337/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/rathore-rules-out-use-of-copters-aerial-strikes/article9165152.ece|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="backtracking"/>

Ranbir Singh said that his Pakistani counterpart had been informed.<ref name="says_hits"/> The Pakistani military said the DGMO communications discussed only the cross-border firing, which was part of the existing rules of engagement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/29/india-says-raid-across-loc-hit-pakistan-based-militants-pakistan-denies-raid-occurred.html|title=India says raid across LOC hit Pakistan-based militants; Pakistan denies raid occurred|work=CNBC|date=29 September 2016|access-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018232415/http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/29/india-says-raid-across-loc-hit-pakistan-based-militants-pakistan-denies-raid-occurred.html|archive-date=18 October 2016}}</ref>

Pakistan denied that such surgical strikes occurred. The [[Inter-Services Public Relations]] said that there had been only "cross border firing".<ref name=Panda/> Pakistan Prime Minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] condemned the "unprovoked and naked aggression of Indian forces", and said that Pakistani military was capable of thwarting any attacks by India.<ref name=BBC2/><ref name="WP">
{{citation |author1=Annie Gowen |author2=Shaiq Hussain |title=India claims 'surgical strikes' against militants in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/india-hits-militant-launchpads-in-pakistan-in-escalation-between-nuclear-armed-rivals/2016/09/29/e0145168-d97e-4149-977a-24d08b16ea0b_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=1 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001050604/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/india-hits-militant-launchpads-in-pakistan-in-escalation-between-nuclear-armed-rivals/2016/09/29/e0145168-d97e-4149-977a-24d08b16ea0b_story.html |archive-date=1 October 2016  }}
</ref>

UN Secretary General [[Ban Ki-Moon]] said that the [[UNMOGIP|UN Observer Group]] in Pakistani Kashmir did not directly observe any "firing across the Line of Control" relating to the incident.<ref name="UN">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/un-chief-ban-ki-moon-offers-to-mediate-over-india-pakistan-tensions/story-tgrv7TWDE7GmuC7EI8NNiN.html UN chief Ban Ki-moon offers to mediate between India, Pakistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002042538/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/un-chief-ban-ki-moon-offers-to-mediate-over-india-pakistan-tensions/story-tgrv7TWDE7GmuC7EI8NNiN.html |date=2 October 2016 }}, Hindustan Times, 1 October 2016.
</ref><ref name="observe">
[http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/india-snubs-un-for-saying-didnt-observe-loc-firing-3060608/ India snubs UN for saying didn't ‘observe’ LoC firing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002043250/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/india-snubs-un-for-saying-didnt-observe-loc-firing-3060608/ |date=2 October 2016 }}, The Indian Express, 2 October 2016.
</ref> The Indian envoy at UN [[Syed Akbaruddin]] dismissed this statement, saying "facts on the ground do not change whether somebody acknowledges or not."<ref name=observe/>

Analyst Sandeep Singh, writing in ''The Diplomat,'' said that the operation is better characterised as a cross-border raid because "surgical strikes" involve striking deep into the enemy territory and typically using air power.<ref>
{{citation |author=Sandeep Singh |title=India's Surgical Strikes: Walking into Pakistan's Trap? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/10/indias-surgical-strikes-walking-into-pakistans-trap/ |newspaper=The Diplomat |date=5 October 2016 |access-date=15 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018232405/https://thediplomat.com/2016/10/indias-surgical-strikes-walking-into-pakistans-trap/ |archive-date=18 October 2016  }}
</ref> Shaun Snow writing in ''The Diplomat'' questioned whether India had the capacity to conduct a "surgical strike", noting that Pakistan has a very comprehensive and modern air defence system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/09/is-india-capable-of-a-surgical-strike-in-pakistan-controlled-kashmir/|title=Is India Capable of a Surgical Strike in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir?|last=Diplomat|first=Shawn Snow , The|website=The Diplomat|language=en-US|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> A cross border raid, if it occurred 1&nbsp;km into Pakistani administered territory, is routine on either side with over a dozen incidents having occurred both ways, and does not qualify as a "surgical strike"  which by definition requires deep striking and air power as Sandeep Singh, cited earlier, attests to.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

===Indian version===
Indian officials said the strike targeted areas close to the Line of Control (LoC), where it believes militants congregate for their final briefings before sneaking across the LoC. An Indian security source said the operation began with Indian forces firing artillery across the frontier to provide cover for three to four teams of 70–80 soldiers from the 4th and 9th battalions of the Para [[Para (Special Forces)|Special Forces]] to cross the LoC at several separate points shortly after midnight IST on 29 September (18:30 hours UTC, 28 Sep). Teams from 4 Para crossed the LoC in the Nowgam sector of [[Kupwara district]], while teams from 9 Para simultaneously crossed the LoC in [[Poonch district, India|Poonch district]].<ref name="inside_strike">{{cite news|title=Inside the strike: Choppers on standby, 70–80 soldiers|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/surgical-strikes-india-pakistan-loc-jammu-and-kashmir-indian-army-3059059/|access-date=1 October 2016|work=The Indian Express|date=1 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001035101/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/surgical-strikes-india-pakistan-loc-jammu-and-kashmir-indian-army-3059059/|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="says_hits"/> By 2 a.m. IST, according to army sources, the special forces teams had travelled 1–3&nbsp;km on foot, and had begun destroying terrorist bases with hand-held grenades and 84&nbsp;mm rocket launchers. The teams then swiftly returned to the Indian side of the Line of Control, suffering only one injury, a soldier wounded after tripping a land mine.<ref name="inside_strike"/>

The Indian Army said the strike was a [[Preemptive war|pre-emptive]] attack on militant bases, claiming that it had received intelligence that the militants were planning "terrorist strikes" against India.<ref name="BBC2"/><ref name="NYT"/> India said that, in destroying "terrorist infrastructure" it also attacked  "those who are trying to support them", indicating it attacked Pakistani soldiers too.<ref name="Panda"/> India later briefed opposition parties and foreign envoys, but did not disclose operational details.<ref name="says_hits">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-india-kashmir-idUSKCN11Z0IJ|first1=Sanjeev|last1=Miglani|first2=Asad|last2=Hashim|title=India says hits Pakistan-based militants, escalating tensions|work=[[Reuters]]|date=29 September 2016|access-date=5 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005140149/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-india-kashmir-idUSKCN11Z0IJ|archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref>

Some Indian media claimed that the Indian army infiltrated 2–3&nbsp;km into Pakistani territory,<ref name="SSA2"/> but the Indian Army did not say whether its troops crossed the border or had simply fired across it.<ref name=BBC2/> India said that none of its soldiers were killed though two soldiers were injured.<ref name="says_hits"/> It also stated that one of its soldiers, from 37 [[Rashtriya Rifles]], was captured by Pakistan after he "inadvertently crossed over to the Pakistan side", though not during the "surgical strikes."<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/army-denies-pak-media-claims-says-soldier-inadvertently-crossed-loc-1468244|title=Indian Army Says Soldier in Pak Custody Was Not Captured During Surgical Strikes|date=30 September 2016|work=NDTV.com|access-date=30 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930035414/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/army-denies-pak-media-claims-says-soldier-inadvertently-crossed-loc-1468244|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref>

Initially, Indian media claimed that the army used helicopters during the skirmish. On 30 September, an Indian minister denied that there were any helicopters used, stating the operation was conducted "on the ground".<ref name="The Hindu"/><ref name="backtracking">{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1191350/backtracking-india-says-no-helicopters-used-surgical-strikes/|title=Backtracking: India says no helicopters used in 'surgical strikes'|work=Express Tribune|date=30 September 2016|access-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001145250/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1191350/backtracking-india-says-no-helicopters-used-surgical-strikes/|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

In 2018, the Indian government released an alleged footage of the strikes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

===Pakistani version===
Pakistan rejected claims that any surgical strikes occurred. Pakistan's [[Foreign Ministry of Pakistan|Foreign Office]] said the claim as "baseless" and said India was "deliberately" escalating conflict.<ref name="CNN"/> The [[Pakistan Army]] claimed that there had only been "cross border firing".<ref name=Panda/> Pakistan warned that it would respond militarily should any surgical strike actually occur.<ref name="SSA2"/> The two soldiers killed were identified as Naik Imtiaz and [[Havildar]] Jumma Khan.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/30/asia/kashmir-tensions-pakistan-capture-indian-soldier/index.html|title=Pakistan captures Indian soldier in Kashmir|first=Juliet |last=Perry|work=cnn.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001075544/http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/30/asia/kashmir-tensions-pakistan-capture-indian-soldier/index.html|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

Pakistani sources claimed that hours after the strike, up to fourteen Indian soldiers were killed in retaliatory firing across the LOC and one was captured, Chandu Babulal Chavan.<ref name="Haider2">{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1286910/|title=Pakistan captures one Indian soldier, eight killed at LoC overnight|work=Dawn|first=Abrar|last=Haider|date=29 September 2016|access-date=29 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930032029/http://www.dawn.com/news/1286910|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref> It further stated that India was concealing its casualty figures from the cross-border firing.<ref name="ET3"/><ref name="Haider2"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/153627-14-Indian-soldiers-killed-in-clashes-with-Pakistan-Army|title=14 Indian soldiers killed in clashes with Pakistan Army|work=The News|date=29 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016}}</ref> It was later reported that the captured India soldier had wandered across the border in a different sector of the Line of control, where no conflict was reported.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37518200 |title=India Kashmir strike: View from Pakistan |last=Khan |first=M. Ilyas |date=30 September 2016 |work=BBC News |access-date=14 December 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He was later returned to India.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistan-returns-indian-soldier-who-crossed-loc-last-year-says-committed-to-ensuring-peace/story-tRunT1nwlr4pAkgz6rwrDM.html |title=Pakistan returns Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan who crossed LoC last year |date=21 January 2017 |access-date=14 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

Defence analysts in Pakistan said it was not possible for Indian forces to breach the heavily armed and fenced LoC border undetected, perform operations at multiple sites over several hours, and return without casualties and military resistance. According to one source, the Indian narrative matched a "fantastic movie script" created for public consumption.<ref name="Yousaf">{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1191128/cross-border-raid-strategic-analysts-laugh-off-indian-claim/|title=Cross-border raid: Strategic analysts laugh off Indian claim|work=The Express Tribune|date=1 October 2016|access-date=1 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930230825/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1191128/cross-border-raid-strategic-analysts-laugh-off-indian-claim/|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref> Ejaz Awan dismissed Indian claims of paratrooper involvement, stating: "For pulling out these troops, you need helicopters on the ground."<ref name="Yousaf"/>

== Media reports ==

Lieutenant general Ranbir Singh, the Indian Army DGMO, only stated during his press conference on 29 September that the number of casualties inflicted had been "significant."<ref name="DGMO"/> Most accounts in the Indian media varied as to the number of militants killed, with most publications giving estimates of 35 to 50 killed.<ref name="FE"/><ref name="para_commandos"/> On 9 October, the Indian army said that it had intercepted radio messages of the Pakistan army and claimed that "around 20" Lashkar-e-Taiba militants had been killed, including at least 10 during the surgical strikes and nine{{clarify|date=October 2016}} killed at Balnoi (opposite of [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=Lashkar-e-Taiba suffered maximum damage in surgical strikes |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/lashker-e-taiba-suffered-maximum-damage-in-surgical-strikes-3073562/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=9 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010161401/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/lashker-e-taiba-suffered-maximum-damage-in-surgical-strikes-3073562/ |archive-date=10 October 2016  }}</ref>

On 1 October, the Pakistani army gave international media outlets including [[BBC]], [[CNN]], [[VOA]], [[Reuters]], [[Associated Press|AP]], [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] and [[Newsweek]] a tour of the sites which India claimed to have hit on 29 September.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1192809/new-delhi-cm-questions-authenticity-indias-surgical-strikes-pakistan/|title=Delhi CM questions authenticity of India's 'surgical strikes' in Pakistan|work=Express Tribune|date=3 October 2016|access-date=3 October 2016|first=Tashkeel Ahmed|last=Farooqui|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004152613/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1192809/new-delhi-cm-questions-authenticity-indias-surgical-strikes-pakistan/|archive-date=4 October 2016}}</ref> The Pakistan army claimed that had there been a "surgical strike", there would have been more damage. The journalists confirmed that the "area seemed intact", but added that they only saw what the Pakistani army showed them.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kashmir conflict: Tension on the India Pakistan border|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37531900|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002153302/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37531900|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> ''[[The Economist]]'' remarked that they were taken to the border "under strict supervision, naturally".<ref name=Economist/>

On 5 October, ''[[The Indian Express]]'' stated it had managed to conduct covert interviews with eyewitnesses living across the Line of Control (LoC). The Express claimed that eyewitnesses corroborated the Indian account by describing fire engagements with militants and the destruction of some makeshift buildings that housed militants; but that there was little damage to infrastructure. However, the Express said that according to eyewitness accounts, and classified documents, the number of militants killed was lower than the 38–50 number reported by Indian officials; there were reports that "five, perhaps six" bodies had been trucked out the morning after the raids from Dudhnial (4&nbsp;km from the LoC), while three or four militants were killed near Khairati Bagh. The Express said that the militants, many of whom belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba, were caught by surprise. Other accounts reported "fire and explosions" from the east bank of the [[Neelum River]] in [[Athmuqam]].<ref name="bodies_explosions">{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pakistan-border-terror-camps-surgical-strikes-kashmir-loc-indian-army-jihadist-3065975|title=Surgical strikes: Bodies taken away on trucks, loud explosions, eyewitnesses give graphic details|date=5 October 2016|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005195613/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pakistan-border-terror-camps-surgical-strikes-kashmir-loc-indian-army-jihadist-3065975/|archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref>

On 5 October, India's [[CNN-News18]] claimed that it conducted a "sting operation" where their news correspondent posing as an Inspector General of Police made a phone call to a Superintendent of Police (SP) Ghulam Akbar in [[Mirpur, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir|Mirpur]]. In an audio conversation aired on the news channel, a voice claiming to be Akbar reveals details about the military action of 29 September including the places of strikes and the number of Pakistani casualties, quoted as 12 people including 5 military personnel. The voice says that the bodies were said to have been carried away in coffins and buried in the villages, and that an unknown number of militants ("jihadis") had also died.<ref>[http://www.firstpost.com/india/surgical-strikes-five-pakistani-soldiers-among-12-killed-mirpur-sp-tells-cnn-news18-3036330.html Surgical strikes: Five Pakistani soldiers among 12 killed, Mirpur SP tells CNN-News18] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006071654/http://www.firstpost.com/india/surgical-strikes-five-pakistani-soldiers-among-12-killed-mirpur-sp-tells-cnn-news18-3036330.html |date=6 October 2016 }}, Firstpost India, 5 October 2016.</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Pakistan admits to surgical strikes by India, names areas of operation |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/051016/pakistan-admits-surgical-strikes-by-india-names-areas-of-operation.html |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |date=5 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005172722/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/051016/pakistan-admits-surgical-strikes-by-india-names-areas-of-operation.html |archive-date=5 October 2016  }}</ref><ref>[http://www.news18.com/news/india/surgical-strikes-full-text-of-conversation-which-exposes-pakistans-lies-1298937.html Surgical Strikes: Full Text of Conversation Which Exposes Pakistan's Lies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006142258/http://www.news18.com/news/india/surgical-strikes-full-text-of-conversation-which-exposes-pakistans-lies-1298937.html |date=6 October 2016 }}, CNN News18, 5 October 2016.</ref> On 6 October, Pakistan's [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Foreign Office]] said that the voice in the audio conversation did not belong to Ghulam Akbar, and that Akbar had denied the alleged phone conversation. The ministry called the story a fabrication, and hoped that [[CNN International]] would take action against its Indian affiliate.<ref>{{cite web|title=PAKISTAN CONDEMNS AIRING OF FAKE PROGRAM BY INDIAN MEDIA|url=http://www.radio.gov.pk/06-Oct-2016/pakistan-condemns-airing-of-fake-program-by-indian-media|publisher=[[Radio Pakistan]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009174244/http://www.radio.gov.pk/06-Oct-2016/pakistan-condemns-airing-of-fake-program-by-indian-media|archive-date=9 October 2016}}</ref>

On 23 October, a [[BBC News]] article by M. Ilyas Khan quoted unnamed police officials and locals stating the Indians appeared to have crossed the LoC, in some cases by more than a kilometer, to attack Pakistani border posts. The article said the Indian Army had conducted a ground assault in the Pooch sector, destroying a Pakistani post and killing a soldier; setup their guns on a ridge in Leepa valley, hitting three posts and killing four Pakistani soldiers; and advanced in the Dudhnial sector injuring a Pakistani soldier, but were beaten back after their movements were detected. The report also took statements from villagers at Madarpur ([[Poonch District, Pakistan|Poonch District]]) and [[Leepa Valley]] ([[Bagh District]]) and Dudhnial ([[Neelam District]]) who confided that Indian troops directed heavy fire at several Pakistani border posts. The BBC News could not verify if any militants were hit. Villagers in Dudhnial said that they saw one or two damaged structures close to a Pakistani border post. The villagers in Leepa Valley said that, following the attack, there was an increased influx of militants to the valley.<ref name="truth">{{citation |author=M. Ilyas Khan |title=India's 'surgical strikes' in Kashmir: Truth or illusion? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-37702790 |newspaper=BBC News |date=23 October 2016 |access-date=23 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025175100/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-37702790 |archive-date=25 October 2016  }}</ref>

''[[The Economist]]'' wrote that by interviewing eyewitnesses and anonymous officials, journalists in both Pakistan and India have pieced together an account of what happened:
{{blockquote|it appears that small teams of Indian commandos had slipped across the line to strike at safe houses believed to be used by Islamist guerrillas. The number killed was estimated at a dozen or fewer, rather than the 38–50 initially claimed by India. None of those killed were Pakistani army personnel. And since the Pakistani government has no wish to inflame domestic opinion and so be forced to escalate matters, it preferred to pretend that nothing had happened.<ref name=Economist>[https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21708302-there-still-more-smoke-fire-heated-exchanges-how-long-reversing-roles?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227 India and Pakistan: Reversing roles], The Economist, 8 October 2016.</ref>}}

==Aftermath==
Indian intelligence sources claimed that, immediately after the raid, the Pakistan military had buried the corpses of the slain terrorists to erase any evidence and to maintain Pakistan's version of a "skirmish" along the Line of Control.<ref name="buries">{{cite news|title=Uri Pay Back: Pakistan buries dead terrorists, leaving no evidence for India's Surgical Strike|url=http://www.indialivetoday.com/uri-pay-back-pakistan-buries-dead-terrorists-leaving-no-evidence-for-indias-surgical-strike/39701.html|work=India Live Today|date=30 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016|first=Renu|last=Ratheesh|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001201558/http://www.indialivetoday.com/uri-pay-back-pakistan-buries-dead-terrorists-leaving-no-evidence-for-indias-surgical-strike/39701.html|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> However, Pakistan rejected that any such casualties occurred, questioning: "Where did all the dead bodies go?"<ref name="Masood"/> Pakistan's military also pointed to the lack of damage or losses in the site, and welcomed UN observers and journalists to conduct an independent inquiry.<ref name="Masood"/> Increased firing along the Line of Control was reported the following day.<ref name="morning">{{cite news|title=The morning after Army's surgical strike: Firing along LoC|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/the-morning-after-armys-surgical-strike-firing-along-loc-3056738/|work=Indian Express|date=1 October 2016|access-date=1 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001055641/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/the-morning-after-armys-surgical-strike-firing-along-loc-3056738/|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

A senior Indian Home Ministry official subsequently claimed that in the wake of the raid, at least 12 training camps belonging to [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]], [[Hizbul Mujahideen]] and [[Jaish-e-Mohammad]] had been swiftly moved from their locations at Pir Chanasi, Aksha Maskar and Tabuk near Muzaffarabad in [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]]. Based on satellite images, inputs from foreign intelligence agencies and unnamed "sources in Pakistan," according to the official, the training camps had been relocated "near crowded towns deep inside Pakistan," in the provinces of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and Punjab, to "minimise casualties to their assets."  According to the Indian official, the camps had housed around 500 militants, 300 of whom belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba alone.<ref name="camps_shifted">{{cite news|title=Training camps now shifted to crowded Pakistani towns'|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/training-camps-now-shifted-to-crowded-pakistani-towns/article9170047.ece|work=The Hindu|date=1 October 2016|access-date=1 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930223228/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/training-camps-now-shifted-to-crowded-pakistani-towns/article9170047.ece|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref>

An Indian newspaper, Indian Express, alleged that they had covertly interviewed five people across the LoC. One of the five eyewitness reported that on 30 September, a day after the surgical strikes, several members of Lashkar-e-Taiba had met for Friday prayers at a Lashkar-affiliated mosque in Chalhana. "The Lashkar men gathered there were blaming the Pak Army for failing to defend the border", he said, "and [were] saying they would soon give India an answer it would never forget."<ref name="bodies_explosions"/> Several days after the raids, a leading Indian security official who had been closely involved in their planning said that Pakistan's continued denial that any surgical strikes took place was a "stance that suits us." He further stated – "The surprise element in such an operation is key to its success and there will be no predictable repetition. If provoked yet again, we will amend our operational tactics."<ref name="denial_suits"/>

Both Indian Defence Minister Parrikar and National Security Advisor Doval were shown original, unedited footage from the military raids on 1 October. After viewing it, Parrikar informed Prime Minister Modi that he was satisfied with what he had seen, and that there was no need to publicly release any footage. In response to calls from members of opposition parties to release the footage, a senior government official stated, "The Opposition should understand the difference between a covert and overt strike. And it is not incumbent on the Indian Army to release video footage every time they do their duty."<ref name="strikes_proof">{{cite news|title=Have proof of surgical strikes along LoC, but will not release it: Centre|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/have-proof-of-surgical-strikes-along-loc-but-will-not-release-it-centre/story-d8aGCr9mQfDO0zeTjTi1YI.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=6 October 2016|access-date=6 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006073822/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/have-proof-of-surgical-strikes-along-loc-but-will-not-release-it-centre/story-d8aGCr9mQfDO0zeTjTi1YI.html|archive-date=6 October 2016}}</ref> On 5 October, two senior ministers in the Indian government said the Indian Army had submitted the footage to the government, but that the government, with the concurrence of the army, felt there was no need to release it to the public.<ref name="strikes_proof"/>

{{main|India–Pakistan border skirmishes (2016–2018)}}

After India's operation, India and Pakistan increased their exchanges of small arms and mortar fire across the Line of Control, resulting in frequent reports of Indian<ref>{{cite news|title=The aftermath of India's surgical strikes along LoC: A quick timeline|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/the-aftermath-of-indias-surgical-strikes-across-loc-a-timeline-3061415/|work=The Indian Express|date=3 October 2016|access-date=3 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004162532/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/the-aftermath-of-indias-surgical-strikes-across-loc-a-timeline-3061415/|archive-date=4 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-pakistan-ceasefire-violation-jawan-death-4562251/ |title= J&K: Jawan killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan, another found dead with bullet wounds |work= Indian Express|access-date= 9 March 2016 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170309145527/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-pakistan-ceasefire-violation-jawan-death-4562251/ |archive-date= 9 March 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/soldiers-mutilated-indian-army-says-it-will-respond-to-pakistan-s-dastardly-act/story-RQyyWm7LNbZt6HqnOz6DML.html |title= Army says will respond to 'dastardly' body mutilation, Pak denies involvement |work= Hindustan Times |date= 3 May 2017 |access-date= 3 May 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170502214103/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/soldiers-mutilated-indian-army-says-it-will-respond-to-pakistan-s-dastardly-act/story-RQyyWm7LNbZt6HqnOz6DML.html |archive-date= 2 May 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jun/01/gref-labourer-killed-bsf-man-among-4-injured-in-pak-firing-in-jammu-and-kashmir-1611727.html |title= GREF labourer killed, BSF man among four injured in Pak firing in Jammu & Kashmir |work= Economic times|access-date= 2 June 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170607163138/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/jun/01/gref-labourer-killed-bsf-man-among-4-injured-in-pak-firing-in-jammu-and-kashmir-1611727.html |archive-date= 7 June 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="TOI6">{{cite web|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/india/pakistan-violates-ceasefire-in-jks-nowgam-one-jawan-martyred/articleshow/59649735.cms|title=Pakistan violates ceasefire in J&K's Nowgam, one jawan martyred|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=4 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719095409/http://m.timesofindia.com/india/pakistan-violates-ceasefire-in-jks-nowgam-one-jawan-martyred/articleshow/59649735.cms|archive-date=19 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/army-soldier-injured-in-naushera-shelling-dies-civilian-injured-in-fresh-pakistan-ceasefire-violation-3831431.html|title=Army soldier injured in Naushera shelling dies; civilian injured in fresh Pakistan ceasefire violation|work=First post|access-date=19 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720041528/http://www.firstpost.com/india/army-soldier-injured-in-naushera-shelling-dies-civilian-injured-in-fresh-pakistan-ceasefire-violation-3831431.html|archive-date=20 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-stand-by-for-heavy-retribution-india-warns-pakistan-2276066 |title=Jammu and Kashmir: 3 soldiers killed, India warns Pakistan of heavy retribution |publisher=DNA India |access-date=23 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125095904/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-stand-by-for-heavy-retribution-india-warns-pakistan-2276066 |archive-date=25 November 2016  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/pakistan-violates-ceasefire-in-rajouri/article19394904.ece |title= Pakistan violates ceasefire in Rajouri |work= The Hindu|access-date= 31 July 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171009041643/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/pakistan-violates-ceasefire-in-rajouri/article19394904.ece |archive-date= 9 October 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="TH16">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pakistan-violates-ceasefire-for-four-consecutive-days-shells-bsf-posts/article19697082.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918200510/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pakistan-violates-ceasefire-for-four-consecutive-days-shells-bsf-posts/article19697082.ece|url-status=dead|title=Pakistan violates ceasefire for four consecutive days, shells BSF posts|date=16 September 2017|archive-date=18 September 2017|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bsf-jawan-killed-in-pakistani-sniper-fire-from-across-line-of-control-in-poonch-1745091?ndtv_related |title= BSF Jawan Killed in Pakistani Sniper Fire from Across Line of Control in Poonch |publisher= NDTV |access-date= 1 September 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170907122648/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bsf-jawan-killed-in-pakistani-sniper-fire-from-across-line-of-control-in-poonch-1745091?ndtv_related |archive-date= 7 September 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bsf-jawan-killed-in-pakistan-firing-across-loc-in-arina-sector-4813178/ |title= BSF Jawan killed in Pakistan firing across LoC in J&K's Arina sector |work= Indian Express|access-date= 25 August 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170825150545/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bsf-jawan-killed-in-pakistan-firing-across-loc-in-arina-sector-4813178/ |archive-date= 25 August 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="timesofindia1">{{cite news |url= http://m.timesofindia.com/india/soldier-injured-as-pakistan-violates-ceasefire-in-keran-sector/articleshow/60763078.cms |title= Jawan killed as Pakistan violate ceasefire along Keran sector |work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date= 22 September 2017 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170922001231/http://m.timesofindia.com/india/soldier-injured-as-pakistan-violates-ceasefire-in-keran-sector/articleshow/60763078.cms |archive-date= 22 September 2017 |df= dmy-all }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=January 2022}} and Pakistani casualties.<ref>{{cite news|title=3 Pakistani Soldiers killed|url=http://staging.hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PAKISTAN_INDIA_KASHMIR?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-11-23-06-46-58|access-date=23 November 2016|agency=AP|issue=23 November|publisher=By Roshan Mughal and Asif Shahzad|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123201427/http://staging.hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PAKISTAN_INDIA_KASHMIR?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-11-23-06-46-58|archive-date=23 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="Three Pakistan Army soldiers killed by Indian firing across the LoC">{{Cite news |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1314553/three-pakistan-army-soldiers-killed-by-indian-firing-across-the-loc |title=Three Pakistan Army soldiers killed by Indian firing across the LoC |access-date=14 February 2017 |work=Dawn |date=14 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214002356/https://www.dawn.com/news/1314553/three-pakistan-army-soldiers-killed-by-indian-firing-across-the-loc |archive-date=14 February 2017  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-india-idUSKBN1A10RG|title=Four Pakistani soldiers killed in Indian shelling in Kashmir|date=16 July 2017|access-date=4 August 2017|newspaper=Reuters|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805020040/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-india-idUSKBN1A10RG|archive-date=5 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1346309/army-destroys-indian-posts-in-retaliation-to-cross-border-shelling-killing-5-ispr|title=Army destroys Indian posts in retaliation to cross-border shelling, killing 5: ISPR|first=Tariq|last=Naqash|date=19 July 2017|access-date=4 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805015941/https://www.dawn.com/news/1346309/army-destroys-indian-posts-in-retaliation-to-cross-border-shelling-killing-5-ispr|archive-date=5 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="thehindu.com">{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pak-summons-indian-envoy-over-ceasefire-violations-across-loc/article19316191.ece |title=Pakistan summons Indian envoy over ceasefire violations across LoC |last=Zaidi |first=Mubashir  |access-date=16 September 2017 |work=The Hindu|date=20 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2017/09/naib-subedar-two-civilians-embrace-martyrdom-in-cross-border-india-firing-ispr/amp/ |title=Naib Subedar, two civilians embrace martyrdom in cross-border India firing: ISPR |access-date=1 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001214015/https://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2017/09/naib-subedar-two-civilians-embrace-martyrdom-in-cross-border-india-firing-ispr/amp/ |archive-date=1 October 2017  }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=January 2022}}
[[File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Kirti Chakra to Major Rohit Suri, at the Defence Investiture Ceremony-I, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 20, 2017.jpg|thumb|left|Kirti Chakra to Major Rohit Suri]]
In 2017 the Indian government conferred gallantry awards to nineteen soldiers who had participated in the strikes. Among those who received awards include Major Rohit Suri, the leader of the operation who was honored with the [[Kirti Chakra]], the second highest peacetime gallantry award.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/heroes-of-surgical-strike-honoured-with-gallantry-medals/articleshow/56782741.cms|title=Heroes of surgical strike honoured with gallantry medals|date=11 July 2018|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref>

On 27 June 2018, an alleged footage of the strikes was released by the Indian government to the Indian media as proof to the strike.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/video-footage-provides-proof-of-surgical-strikes-across-loc/videoshow/64768915.cms|title=Video footage provides proof of surgical strikes across LoC {{!}} News- Times of India Videos ►|website=The Times of India|access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/surgical-strikes-video-out-shows-terror-casualties-damage-to-bunkers-pakistan-border-indian-army-5236452/|title=Surgical strikes video out, shows terror casualties, damage to bunkers|date=28 June 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=28 June 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Pakistan's foreign office spokesman, however, rejected the alleged video and termed Indian claims as farcical.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dream-on-pakistan-rejects-video-clips-of-indian-surgical-strikes-as-farcical-claims/story-qLthzM7wtgrkiYcmK8rIrJ.html|title='Dream on': Pakistan rejects video clips of Indian surgical strikes as farcical claims|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=28 June 2018}}</ref> The Indian government released additional videos on 27 September 2018.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Govt releases new video of 2016 surgical strikes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-releases-new-video-of-2016-surgical-strikes/articleshow/65983661.cms |date=27 September 2018 |access-date=12 March 2021 |agency=Press Trust of India |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

==Reactions==

===India===
Across India, the military raid was widely praised. The opposition initially raised doubts that the surgical strike actually took place, but later the opposition leader [[Rahul Gandhi]] lauded Prime Minister Modi commenting- "for the first time in his tenure, he has taken an action that is worthy of the status of a Prime Minister."<ref name="firmly">{{cite news|title=Political parties firmly back Modi govt over army's surgical strikes|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cong-aap-hail-army-s-surgical-strike-rajnath-informs-cms-oppn-leaders-about-op/story-Q37QbpgneLveuguZ8q4QeL.html|access-date=30 September 2016|agency=Hindustan Times|date=30 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930033605/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cong-aap-hail-army-s-surgical-strike-rajnath-informs-cms-oppn-leaders-about-op/story-Q37QbpgneLveuguZ8q4QeL.html|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref>

Following the military raid, in anticipation of cross-border shelling from Pakistan, Indian authorities evacuated 10,000 residents of villages located within ten kilometres of the border, in the states of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Military surveillance was also stepped up along the Line of Control.<ref name="evacuates"/>

===Pakistan===
Pakistan rejected the claim of a surgical strike, stating that Indian troops had only engaged in firing upon Pakistani soldiers, killing two Pakistani soldiers and wounding nine.<ref name="SSA2" /><ref name=BBC2/> The spokesperson for the Pakistani Army asked: "Where is the damage?”, referring to the lack of any evidence of surgical strikes.<ref name="Masood"/> ISPR spokesman [[Asim Bajwa]] termed the "surgical strike" claim an "illusion being deliberately generated by India to create false effects" and a "fabrication of the truth".<ref name="SSA2"/>

Pakistani Prime Minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] convened an all-parties conference and an emergency cabinet meeting. He stated Pakistan would take any steps necessary to safeguard its territorial integrity. "We will defend our homeland against any aggression. The entire nation is standing shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces."<ref>{{cite news|title=Nawaz calls APC, NAP and National Security committee meetings|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1287092|work=Dawn|date=30 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016|first=Sanaullah|last=Khan|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001041023/http://www.dawn.com/news/1287092|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

Pakistan's [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] [[Raheel Sharif]] termed the Indian claim a "drama", adding that "If Pakistan were to conduct a surgical strike, it would become a chapter in Indian textbooks."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1298385|title=If Pakistan conducted a surgical strike, it would become part of Indian textbooks: COAS Gen Raheel|first=Ali|last=Akbar|work=Dawn|date=25 November 2016|access-date=28 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128082922/http://www.dawn.com/news/1298385|archive-date=28 November 2016}}</ref>

==International Reactions==
===Countries===
* {{flagu|Islamic Republic of Afghanistan}} – Shaida Abdali, Afghanistan's ambassador to India, expressed support for the military raids by India, stating the actions in Pakistan-administered Kashmir had been conducted in "self-defence." He added his hopes that "no one will allow safe havens for terrorists to be used against neighbours."<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian surgical strikes were act of self-defence: Afghanistan|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/news/latest-headlines/indian-surgical-strikes-were-act-of-self-defence-afghanistan/168164.html|work=The Statesman|date=30 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012002113/http://www.thestatesman.com/news/latest-headlines/indian-surgical-strikes-were-act-of-self-defence-afghanistan/168164.html|archive-date=12 October 2016}}</ref>
*{{flagu|Bangladesh}} – Iqbal Chowdhury, the advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, stated India had the "legal, internationally accepted right" to take action. "Bangladesh always believes that any aggression or attack on the sovereignty of the independence and legal right of a country is not acceptable and Bangladesh always feels that any country must honour and respect the sovereignty of a third country."<ref>{{cite news|title=India has right to respond to attack on sovereignty:Bangladesh|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/india-has-right-to-respond-to-attack-on-sovereignty-bangladesh/168070.html|work=The Statesman|date=30 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012050702/http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/india-has-right-to-respond-to-attack-on-sovereignty-bangladesh/168070.html|archive-date=12 October 2016}}</ref>
*{{flagu|Bhutan}} – Bhutan have backed India on cross-border stand.<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/brics-summit-lanka-bhutan-back-indias-stand-on-cross-border-terror-3086730/ |title=BRICS summit: Lanka, Bhutan back India's stand on cross-border terror |access-date=14 February 2017 |work=The Indian Express |date=18 October 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031213158/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/brics-summit-lanka-bhutan-back-indias-stand-on-cross-border-terror-3086730/ |archive-date=31 October 2016  }}</ref>
*{{flagu|China}} – Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Sheung stated that China, "as a shared neighbour and friend to both India and Pakistan," was concerned about the "continuous confrontation and tensions" between the two nations. He said China called on "all relevant parties to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that would escalate tension," and expressed hopes that both parties would address their differences through dialogue.<ref>{{cite news|title=China calls on India, Pakistan to exercise restraint|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pakistan-china-kashmir-terrorism-surgical-strikes-uri-attack-3058982/|work=The Indian Express|date=1 October 2016|access-date=1 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930234335/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pakistan-china-kashmir-terrorism-surgical-strikes-uri-attack-3058982/|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref>
*{{flagu|Germany}} – Martin Ney, the German ambassador to India, expressed Germany's support for the military raids and that it stood beside India in its counter-terrorism efforts. Stating that under international law, every nation was obliged to ensure that terrorism did not emanate from its territory, he said there existed a clear international law "that any state has the right to defend its territory from any form of global terrorism."<ref>{{cite news|title=Germany supports India on LoC strikes, calls it right to defence against terror|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/germany-supports-india-on-loc-strikes-calls-it-right-to-defence-against-terror/story-rtldQTU7jLFJttYJx3g06I.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=5 October 2016|access-date=5 October 2016|first=Jayanth|last=Jacob|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006023514/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/germany-supports-india-on-loc-strikes-calls-it-right-to-defence-against-terror/story-rtldQTU7jLFJttYJx3g06I.html|archive-date=6 October 2016}}</ref>
*{{flagu|Russia}} – The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over "aggravation" of the situation along the Line of Control, and stated it expected Pakistan to take "effective" steps in stopping the activities of terrorist groups operating from its territory. "We are calling on the parties not to allow any escalation of tension and to settle the existing problems by political and diplomatic means through negotiations. We stand for decisive struggle against terrorism in all its manifestations."<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia asks Pakistan to take steps to contain terror groups|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/russia-asks-pakistan-to-take-steps-to-contain-terror-groups/story-eZeUmh8PcFD3I0B5yB75PK.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=30 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001045054/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/russia-asks-pakistan-to-take-steps-to-contain-terror-groups/story-eZeUmh8PcFD3I0B5yB75PK.html|archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin subsequently said that the Russian Federation was the only country to directly state that terrorists came from Pakistan; he called upon Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism and welcomed India's surgical strikes. "[The] greatest human rights violations take place when terrorists attack military installations and attack peaceful civilians in India. We welcome the surgical strike. Every country has [the] right to defend itself."<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia Backs Surgical Strikes, Asks Pakistan to Stop Terror Activities|url=http://rusembindia.com/russia-india-dialogue-en/press-on-bilateral-relations/102-pressonbilateralrelation/8089-russia-backs-surgical-strikes-asks-pakistan-to-stop-terror-activities|work=Russian Embassy|date=3 October 2016|access-date=3 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012131657/http://rusembindia.com/russia-india-dialogue-en/press-on-bilateral-relations/102-pressonbilateralrelation/8089-russia-backs-surgical-strikes-asks-pakistan-to-stop-terror-activities|archive-date=12 October 2016}}</ref>
*{{flagu|United States}} – White House spokesman Josh Earnest encouraged continued talks between India and Pakistan, to avoid further escalating the situation.<ref name="says_hits"/>

===Organisations===
*{{flagu|European Union}} – Vice President of the [[European Parliament]] Czarnecki said that it was necessary for India to maintain pressure on Pakistan for eliminating cross-border terrorism. He praised Indian army and Indian government for its professional approach to the situation.<ref>{{cite news|title=European Parliament backs India's surgical strikes|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/european-parliament-backs-indias-surgical-strikes-3065095/|work=The Indian Express|date=5 October 2016|access-date=5 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005193247/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/european-parliament-backs-indias-surgical-strikes-3065095/|archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref>
* {{flagu|United Nations}} – Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General [[Ban Ki-Moon]], stated the Secretary-General was following the developments "with great concern," adding that the United Nations "calls on the governments of India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, and encourages them to continue the effort to resolve their differences peacefully and through dialogue."<ref>{{cite news|title=Following situation with great concern: UN on rising India-Pak tensions at LoC|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/following-situation-with-great-concern-un-on-rising-india-pak-tensions-at-loc/story-DvBvev49TUAMGtPfMoPReO.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=30 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930053558/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/following-situation-with-great-concern-un-on-rising-india-pak-tensions-at-loc/story-DvBvev49TUAMGtPfMoPReO.html|archive-date=30 September 2016}}</ref> In a press conference on 3 October, [[Vitaly Churkin]], the [[Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations]] and the President of the UN Security Council for that month, refused to comment on the India-Pakistan situation, stating the Security Council had not been discussing the matter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Press-conference by Ambassador V.Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations and President of the UN Security Council for the month of October 2016|url=http://russiaun.ru/en/news/pr_confoct|work=Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations|date=3 October 2016|access-date=4 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005123119/http://russiaun.ru/en/news/pr_confoct|archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref>

==De-escalation==

[[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs]] was confirmed to be attending the 7th [[Istanbul Process|Heart of Asia Conference]], the first visit by a high-level Pakistani official since December 2015. This was seen as a move to help de-escalate tensions by the Indian media.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aziz eyes bilateral meeting during Amritsar conference |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-aziz-eyes-bilateral-meeting-during-amritsar-conference-2276385|work=Daily News & Analysis|date=24 November 2016|access-date=3 December 2016}}</ref> The situation de-escalated after 23 November, with no incident being reported except the injury of a BSF personnel in Pakistani firing on 2 December.<ref name="Lull">{{cite news|title=BSF jawan injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BSF-jawan-injured-in-ceasefire-violation-by-Pakistani-troops/articleshow/55748160.cms|access-date=3 December 2016|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=2 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203010239/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BSF-jawan-injured-in-ceasefire-violation-by-Pakistani-troops/articleshow/55748160.cms|archive-date=3 December 2016}}</ref> Pakistan's High Commissioner to India [[Abdul Basit (diplomat)|Abdul Basit]] also offered hosting bilateral dialogue at Heart of Asia Conference.<ref name="Basitdialogue">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pakistan-willing-to-hold-bilateral-talks-at-heart-of-asia-basit/|title=Pakistan willing to hold bilateral talks at 'Heart of Asia': Basit|publisher=Daily Excelsior|date=28 November 2016|access-date=3 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129150717/http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pakistan-willing-to-hold-bilateral-talks-at-heart-of-asia-basit/|archive-date=29 November 2016}}</ref>
But the conference ended without any peace talks and the delegates returned to their countries. Media said that there was a short conversation between Aziz and Indian leaders as soon as he landed. But it was denied this was not billed a de-escalation of border tensions.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

==Published accounts==

=== Books ===
* Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, ''India’s ‘Surgical Strike’ Stratagem: Brinkmanship and Response'' (Khursheed Printers (Pvt.) Ltd., 2019). The book was written by Jaspal, a Professor of Pakistan's premier university, QAU gives a Pakistani perspective on the surgical strike. ISBN 978-969-23370-0-7
*''Securing India The Modi Way: Pathankot, Surgical Strikes and More'' (2017) is a book written by Nitin Gokhale, a South Asian strategic analyst and senior journalist. The book dwells into details about the planning and execution of the operation among other things.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ddnews.gov.in/national/vice-president-releases-book-securing-india-modi-way|title=Vice President releases book 'Securing India: The Modi Way' {{!}} DD News|website=ddnews.gov.in|language=en|access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.orfonline.org/research/book-discussion-securing-india-modi-way-pathankot-surgical-strikes-december-2017/|title=Book discussion {{!}} Securing India the Modi Way: Pathankot, Surgical Strikes and More {{!}} ORF|work=ORF|access-date=1 May 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
*{{Cite book |title=India's Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes |last1=Aroor |first1=Shiv  |last2=Singh |first2=Rahul |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=9789386815422|date=20 September 2017 }}

===Documentaries===
''Special Operations: India 'Surgical Strikes''' (2018) is a [[TV documentary]] which premièred on 22 January 2018 on [[History TV18]] Channel.<ref name="TV18_Docu">{{cite news|title=HistoryTV18 show 'Special Operations: India – Surgical Strikes' premieres on 22 January: All you need to know|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/historytv18-show-special-operations-india-surgical-strikes-premieres-on-22-january-all-you-need-to-know-4310325.html|access-date=21 April 2018|publisher=Firstpost|date=19 January 2018}}</ref> It was directed and produced by Prabhu Asgaonkar and Manika Berry Asgaonkar.<ref name="TV18_doc">{{cite web|title=Special Operations: India 'Surgical Strikes' English Episode|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXu4loJiEgE?t=48m32s|publisher=History TV18|access-date=21 April 2018}}</ref>

===Film===
''[[Uri: The Surgical Strike]]'' (2019) is an Indian [[Hindi]]-language film based on the attack and was released on 11 January 2019, starring [[Vicky Kaushal]] and [[Yami Gautam]] as lead roles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/Bollywood/box-office-collection/uri-box-office-collection-day-6-vicky-kaushal-aditya-dhar-film-5540967/|title=Uri box office collection Day 6: Vicky Kaushal film refuses to slow down|date=17 January 2019|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=17 January 2019}}</ref>

=== Web series ===
''[[Avrodh the Siege Within]]'' (2020) is an Indian web series, nine episodes long, based on the 2016 [[2016 Uri attack|Uri attack]] and the following surgical strikes.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|last=Jain|first=Arushi|date=2020-07-31|title=Avrodh The Siege Within review: An interesting web series on 2016 surgical strike|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/avrodh-review-amit-sadh-neeraj-kabi-sonyliv-6531321/|access-date=2020-07-31|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> It is based on a chapter of the book India's Most Fearless.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|date=31 July 2020|title='Avrodh' review: Show about 2016 surgical strike goes beyond Line of Control in more ways than one|url=https://scroll.in/reel/968727/avrodh-review-show-about-2016-surgical-strike-goes-beyond-line-of-control-in-more-ways-than-one|access-date=2020-07-31|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[2019 Indian Line of Control strike]]
*[[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts]]
*[[List of cross LOC military operations]]
*[[India–Pakistan relations]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{citation |author=M. Ilyas Khan |title=India's 'surgical strikes' in Kashmir: Truth or illusion? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-37702790 |newspaper=BBC News |date=23 October 2016 |access-date=23 October 2016|ref=none}}
* [https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21708302-there-still-more-smoke-fire-heated-exchanges-how-long-reversing-roles?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227 India and Pakistan: Reversing roles], The Economist, 8 October 2016.
* {{citation |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/10/02/kashmir-pakistan-border-sophia-saifi.cnn |title=Pakistan disputes India's 'surgical strikes' |newspaper=CNN News |access-date=2 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002095404/https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/10/02/kashmir-pakistan-border-sophia-saifi.cnn |archive-date=2 October 2016 |url-status=live}}
* {{citation |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1193058/uri-aftermath-global-media-doubts-surgical-strike-claims/ |title=Uri aftermath: Global media doubts surgical strike claims |newspaper=The Express Tribune |date=4 October 2016 |access-date=5 October 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005125542/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1193058/uri-aftermath-global-media-doubts-surgical-strike-claims/ |archive-date=5 October 2016}}
* Nitin A. Gokhale, [https://thediplomat.com/2017/09/the-inside-story-of-indias-2016-surgical-strikes/ The Inside Story of India's 2016 'Surgical Strikes'], The Diplomat, 23 September 2017.
* Ankit Panda, [https://thediplomat.com/2017/09/lessons-from-indias-surgical-strikes-one-year-later/ Lessons From India's 'Surgical Strikes', One Year Later], The Diplomat, 29 September 2017.

{{Kashmir conflict}}
{{Indo-Pakistani relations}}
{{Military of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2016 India-Pakistan military confrontation}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=Conflicts in 2016, Conflicts in 2017, Conflicts in 2018, India–Pakistan border, 2016 in foreign relations of India, 2017 in India, 2018 in India, 2016 in Pakistan, 2017 in Pakistan, 2018 in Pakistan, Indo-Pakistani wars, History of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, 2010s in Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir conflict, September 2016 events in Pakistan, October 2016 events in Pakistan, November 2016 events in Pakistan, September 2016 events in India, October 2016 events in India, November 2016 events in India, Counterterrorism, Operations involving Indian special forces, India–Pakistan military relations, Uri, Jammu and Kashmir
|description=
}}

[[Category:Conflicts in 2016]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 2017]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 2018]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan border]]
[[Category:2016 in foreign relations of India]]
[[Category:2017 in India]]
[[Category:2018 in India]]
[[Category:2016 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:2017 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:2018 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Indo-Pakistani wars]]
[[Category:History of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir]]
[[Category:2010s in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Kashmir conflict]]
[[Category:September 2016 events in Pakistan]]
[[Category:October 2016 events in Pakistan]]
[[Category:November 2016 events in Pakistan]]
[[Category:September 2016 events in India]]
[[Category:October 2016 events in India]]
[[Category:November 2016 events in India]]
[[Category:Counterterrorism]]
[[Category:Operations involving Indian special forces]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan military relations]]
[[Category:Uri, Jammu and Kashmir]]