Maintain aggressive stand on ceasefire violation: Sena

Shiv Sena today lashed out Pakistan over ceasefire violations saying such incidents will not be taken lightly under India's new defence policy.

"For past many years Pakistan has been behind the killing of Indian soldiers on the border. 562 ceasefire violations have taken place by Pakistan in 2014 alone. But this time India responded aggressively which is why Pakistan was forced to lodge protests," Sena, which is a constituent of ruling NDA at the Centre, said.

It was referring to Pakistan summoning Indian Deputy High Commissioner to lodge protest over killing of their Rangers on Wednesday.

"India should keep up its aggressive stand against unprovoked firing across the border," the Sena said in an editorial in its party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

After Pakistan violated ceasefire on December 31, BSF troops retaliated aggressively, killing four Pakistani Rangers.

"The policies of the new government have changed.... Results are out for everyone to see. They killed one Indian soldier and we killed four in retaliation which forced Pakistan to raise the white flag (so that they can lift the bodies of its dead men)," the Sena said.

Pakistan later in the day summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner and lodged a protest over the ceasefire violations.

Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh was called to the Foreign Office and given a note verbale by the Pakistani Foreign Office.

On December 31 morning, Pakistan rangers had targeted a BSF patrol party by resorting to firing along the International Border in Samba district.

In the heavy firing, one BSF jawan was killed. In strong retaliation by BSF troops, four Pakistani rangers were killed.

The Home Minister later asked BSF to provide a "suitable and appropriate reply" for any unprovoked firing across the Indo-Pak border.