New Delhi:

In a major flip-flop by the Centre and the Defence Ministry, the attackers who ambushed Indian soldiers at the Line of Control in Poonch became "20 heavily armed terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistan Army uniforms" from an earlier statement that the Army patrol was targeted by "20 heavily armed terrorists along with soldiers of Pak Army".

The Defence Ministry withdrew the first press release on the attack which blamed the Pakistani Army for the attack just hours after Defence Minister AK Antony made a statement in Parliament that the attackers were dressed in Pakistani Army uniform. This was not the only change in the revised press release issued by the Army as the first line was also changed.

While the first press release blamed the attack on "Pak Border Action Team", the second one just said "A patrol of Indian Army comprising of one Non Commissioned Officer and five Other Ranks was ambushed on our side of Line of Control" without any mention to Pakistan.

LoC killings: Defence Ministry blames Pak Army and then backtracks

The Defence Ministry withdrew the first press release just hours after AK Antony made a statement in Parliament.

The Opposition on Tuesday staged strong protest against Antony's statement and accused him of providing Pakistan with an escape route.

Full test of the first press release:

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

PRESS RELEASE

PAK BORDER ACTION TEAM ATTACKED INDIAN SOLDIERS CLOSE TO THE LINE OF CONTROL IN PUNCH SECTOR OF J&K

Jammu : 06 Aug 2013

A patrol of Indian Army comprising of one Non Commissioned Officer and five Other Ranks was ambushed by a Pak Border Action Team close to the Line of Control in Punch Sector of J&K early morning on 06 August 2013. In the ensuing firefight, five Indian soldiers were martyred. The ambush was carried out by approximately 20 heavily armed terrorists along with soldiers of Pak Army.

This action is a likely consequence of frustrations of the terrorists' tanzeeems and Pak Army due to successful elimination of 19 hardcore terrorists in the recent months of July and August along the Line of Control and in the hinterland of J&K. The effective counter infiltration grid on the Line of Control has ensured 17 infiltration bids foiled this year resulting in killing of a total of 13 hardcore Pak trained terrorists. The numbers of such attempts have doubled this year in comparison to the corresponding period of 2012. Pak Army's desperation is also evident in the substantial increase in the number of Cease Fire Violations this year. There have been 57 Cease Fire Violations this year which is almost 80% more than the violations last year.

(S N Acharya)

Offg PRO (Defence) Jammu

0191 - 2578963

PRO/Jammu/425/Aug /2013

Full test of the second press release:

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

SUO MOTO STATEMENT IN THE LOK SABHA & RAJYA SABHA BY DEFENCE MINISTER ON AMBUSH INCIDENT ON LOC ON AUGUST 06, 2013

New Delhi: 15 Shravana, 1935

Tuesday, 06 August, 2013

A patrol of Indian Army comprising of one Non Commissioned Officer and five Other Ranks was ambushed on our side of Line of Control in Punch Sector of J&K early morning on August 6, 2013. In the ensuing firefight, five Indian soldiers were martyred and one soldier was injured. The ambush was carried out by approximately 20 heavily armed terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistan Army uniforms.

The numbers of infiltration attempts have doubled this year in comparison to the corresponding period(1 Jan- 5 Aug) of 2012. There has also been 57 Cease Fire Violations this year which is 80% more than the violations last year during the same corresponding period. The Indian Army successfully eliminated 19 hardcore terrorists in the recent months of July and August along the Line of Control and in the hinterland in J&K. The effective counter infiltration grid on the Line of Control has ensured that 17 infiltration bids were foiled this year.

We strongly condemn this unprovoked incident. Government of India has lodged strong protest with Government of Pakistan through diplomatic channels. I assure the House that our Army is fully ready to take all necessary steps to uphold the sanctity of LoC. Government of India conveys its condolences to the families of the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

DM/VP

(S N Acharya)

Offg PRO (Defence) Jammu

0191 - 2578963

PRO/Jammu/426/Aug /2013

source:http://ibnlive.in.com