Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) is specifically used by Pakistan for cross-border operations. “In Pakistan, the SSG (special services group) forms the core of BAT. Its primary task is to dominate the LoC by carrying out disruptive actions in the form of surreptitious raids.” according to PTI

BAT on Monday laid a trap, after intruding around 250 metres into the Indian territory, and ambushed a patrol team of Indian security forces. BAT also mutilated the bodies of two Indian soldiers — Naib Subedar Paramjit Singh of 22 Sikh Infantry and Head Constable Prem Sagar of 200th Battalion of BSF. The incident took place in the Krishna Ghati sector of Kashmir.

However In a press release, Pakistan’s ISPR on Monday said: “Pakistan Army is a highly professional force and shall never disrespect a soldier, even Indian.” ISPR also denied having violated the ceasefire agreement. “Pakistan Army did not commit any ceasefire violation on the Line of Control or a BAT action in the Buttal sector (India’s Krishna Ghati sector) as alleged by India. Indian blame of mutilating Indian soldiers’ bodies is also false,” the ISPR said.

However a close look at below events may very well termed as barbaric acts against Indian soldiers on several occasions in past:

• May 1, 2017: Pakistan’s BAT intruded into Indian territory, laid a trap, killed two Indian soldiers and mutilated their bodies.

• October 28, 2016: An Indian soldier was killed and his body mutilated by Pakistani militants close to LoC in Machil sector.

• January 2013: BAT killed and mutilated body of Lance Naik Hemraj. Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh was also beheaded. Constable Rajinder Singh of BSF suffered injuries in the attack. vaScript if it is disabled in your browser.

• June 2008: BAT captured a soldier of 2/8 Gorkha Rifles when he lost his way in Kel sector. His body was found beheaded after a few days.

• 1999 Kargil conflict: Pakistani captors tortured Captain Saurabh Kalia. They later handed over Captain Kalia’s mutilated body to India.

• February 2000: Seven Indian soldiers were killed when terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri led a raid on the Indian Army’s ‘Ashok Listening Post’ in Nowshera sector. Kashmiri had also taken back to Pakistan the head of 24-year-old Bhausaheb Maruti Talekar of 17 Maratha Light Infantry.

The Opposition party Congress has condemnedthe attack and equally criticised Modi government over the killing and mutilation of two soldiers by Pakistan, taunting it for failing to appoint a Full-time Defence Minister.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley holds additional charge of the important department since Manohar Parrikar resigned in March this year to return to Goa as Chief Minister.