Armed forces ‘fully ready’ to repulse attack: Def Minister
The continuing ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the international border and line of Control (loC) in Jammu & Kashmir drew sharp reactions from the Government and political parties on Monday.
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and Home Minister Rajnath Singh said firing on innocent civilians will hamper normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan.
Deploring the unabated ceasefire violations and killing of five villagers, Jaitley said the Indian Armed forces are “fully ready” and are responding to each of these provocations from across the border.
“Pakistan should realise that the kind of environment it is generating between the two countries is certainly not going to help in normalising relations,” he said. He charged Pakistan with trying to create tension on both the International Border and loC.
“The onus of creating a positive environment is on Pakistan which is utterly failing to do so. let everyone be assured that our Armed forces and paramilitary forces are fully ready and they are responding to each of these provocations from Pakistan,” Jaitley added.
Echoing similar views, Rajnath said, “Pakistan should stop ceasefire violations now and understand the reality that times have changed in India.”
He added that the Centre is monitoring the situation in Jammu & Kashmir and the State Government is taking steps to provide relief to the residents of border villages affected by mortar firing by Pakistani forces.
The Home Minister on Monday morning directed BSF Director General DK Pathak to rush to border. So far, 11 ceasefire violations have taken place during the last four days.