Indian troops have given a befitting reply to the ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces, BSF said today while strongly criticising it for repeatedly disturbing peace along the border.
IG, BSF, Jammu Frontier, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, talking to reporters here, also said that Pakistan wanted to divert the attention of its people from its internal turmoil towards the border by escalating skirmishes.
"Peace must prevail along the borderline. But Pakistan is not taking any efforts to bring peace along Indo-Pak border. The volume of fire has risen from Pakistani side and we are firing more," Sharma said.
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Responding to queries on the reasons behind escalation of border skirmishes, he said there was internal turmoil in Pakistan and secondly, their troops have failed to maintain alertness levels in the absence of action.
To revive the alertness and to divert people's attention from the internal turmoil, Pakistani forces were increasingly violating ceasefire, he said.
Sharma, however, asserted that India will not allow any unprovoked firing.
"Since July 16, Pakistani troops have continuously resorted to firing and BSF has given a befitting reply. As per Pakistani media reports, two Pak rangers have been killed and five injured. It is reliably learnt that two LeT cadres have also been killed in retaliatory fire the day before," he said.
"On 23 August at 2230 hours, Pak rangers started firing on 25 BoPs in R S Pura, Arnia and Akhnoor sectors. In retaliation, all BSF BoPs gave a befitting reply to Pakistani rangers thereby forcing them to stop firing," he said.
"As per Pakistani media reports, 3 civilians are reported to have been killed and 11 injured, besides heavy damage caused to PoK BOPs," he said.
In a major escalation, Pakistani forces have violated ceasefire 18 times in less than a fortnight and 20 times in August.
