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New Delhi: The Pakistan Army’s Border Action Team (BAT) allegedly beheaded two civilians in Poonch Friday morning in an ambush they had laid within Indian territory, fresh information coming in on Sunday has revealed.

While the Army had earlier said the casualties took place in ceasefire violations, sources told ThePrint that the civilians were working in their fields close to the Line of Control when the attack happened.

News agency ANI had Friday quoted Army sources to state that Pakistani forces had carried out an attack on five unarmed civilians who crossed over the fencing on the LoC in Poonch sector, but were within Indian territory.

India Army sources: Pakistan Army carried out attack on 5 unarmed civilians who crossed over fencing on LoC in Poonch sector, but were within Indian territory. 2 civilians including Mohd Aslam&Altaf Hussain killed in the attack, while two others are seriously injured. pic.twitter.com/kM43Yhd8MK — ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2020

Two had been killed in the attack while two others had sustained serious injuries. The killed civilians had been identified as Mohd Aslam and Altaf Hussain.

Pictures that came out Sunday showed that they had been beheaded.

The civilians, like most living near the LoC, also worked as Army porters whenever any help was needed.

Also read: J&K Police vehicle crushes 16-year-old to death, clashes break out in Srinagar’s Nowgam

Army chief had condemned attack

Army chief Gen M.M. Naravane had Saturday responded to questions on the killing of the porters.

“We don’t indulge in such barbaric acts. We will fight as a professional military force and we will deal appropriately with all such situations in a military manner,” he had said at the annual press conference ahead of the Army Day on 15 January.

The BAT is an informal unit of the Pakistan Army that is composed of both commandos and terrorists. It specialises in laying ambushes on the Indian side of the LoC.

Also read: ‘Dictatorship’, no ‘accountability’, no jobs: People in Jammu say Modi govt has failed them

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