India vows to respond to Pakistani firing

The Indian Army will respond to ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said Saturday. The minister also criticized the killing of civilians in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistani firing.

"Our army is prepared to respond to each violation. The country has full faith that they (army) are effectively protecting both the territory and the national interest," Jaitley told the media here.

"The loss of civilian lives is considered condemnable even in war. During peace, it is even more condemnable.” Jaitley said the army and the defence ministry were collecting information on the latest violation of the 2003 ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.  "We will give our detailed reaction later," he said.

Two people were killed and seven injured Saturday in heavy firing by the Pakistan Rangers on Border Security Force posts in the R.S. Pura sector in Jammu district.