Indian Army paying last respects to the martyred jawans. (Courtesy: Twitter)

NEW DELHI: Blood samples collected by Indian investigators have confirmed that Pakistan army personnel killed the two Indian soldiers and mutilated their bodies in the Krishna Ghati sector along the Line of Control.

Foreign secretary S Jaishankar conveyed this to Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit, who was summoned to the external affairs ministry on Wednesday morning.

While briefing media, MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said the foreign secretary conveyed India’s “outrage at the killing and the barbaric act of mutilation of the bodies of two Indian soldiers on May 1 by Pakistani army personnel.”

Questioned specifically by reporters, Baglay confirmed that India had evidence of the blood trail to nail Pakistan army's role.

Baglay said there was sufficient evidence to show that the killings were conducted by the Pakistan army. Two sets of blood samples have been found, he said.

An MEA statement said, "It was significant that the attack was preceded by covering fire from Pakistani posts in Battal sector. Blood samples of the Indian soldiers that have been collected and the trail of blood on Roza Nala clearly shows that the killers returned across the Line of Control."

“Those who came from across the LOC did not come from Pakistan, but Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Its obvious they returned to where they came from. The trail of blood is of Pakistanis who came across, in this case personnel of the Pakistani army. This proved that the killers had come from across the LoC and had returned," MEA said, .

According to Baglay, India is certain of two things, first that the infiltration took place in the Krishna Ghati sector, and second, that the perpetrators were Pakistan army personnel.

Basit, who was served a toughly-worded demarche by Jaishankar, predictably denied any involvement of the Pakistan army.

India has also demanded action against the Pakistani army soldiers and commander responsible for “this heinous act”.

Sources said the Pakistani action was a deliberate provocation and virtually invites Indian retaliation, which is now assured. It reinforces once again that no normalization of relations with Pakistan is possible in the near future.

In the backdrop of the recent protests in Srinagar and the valley, it also emphasizes Indian assertion that the trouble in Kashmir is primarily related to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

Responding to the popular outrage and calls for retaliation, Baglay refused to speculate on the course of action India might take in the coming days or weeks.

On the international front, Baglay stressed that India’s diplomatic efforts of the past year have helped sensitise the international community against cross-border terrorism.

This fact has been a feature of almost every joint statement with world leaders in the past year, most recently with Turkish president Erdogan earlier this week. The Turkish reaffirmation was important given Ankara’s close ties with Pakistan.



In Video: Mutilation of soldiers: 'We have concrete evidence against Pakistan Army,' India says