Pakistan Rangers targets BSF posts again; India retaliates, warns of dire consequences

Jammu: Bullets and mortar shells continue to fly across the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir. In yet another instance of ceasefire violation, Pakistan Rangers on Saturday fired at several posts along the International Border in Samba sector of Jammu region.

Border Security Force Director General DK Pathak, who briefed Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday night, said the force had thwarted a "major infiltration attempt" from across the border and his troops were on high alert.

Asking Pakistan to stop ceasefire violations, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said while India has been offering its hand of friendship, Pakistan repeatedly targeted border areas in India.

"Pakistan is our neighbouring country and we want good ties with all our neighbouring countries. Pakistan should stop ceasefire violations," Singh said.

He wondered why Pakistan was continuously indulging in ceasefire violations, despite having suffered badly every time.

"While we are offering our hand of friendship to Pakistan, it is continuously indulging in ceasefire violations. We made a beginning by inviting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shook hands with him offering not just friendship but also hoping to unite hearts. Despite that, Pakistan is indulging in ceasefire violations repeatedly," he said.

The minister said India had taken all necessary steps to strengthen security to ensure there is no repeat of a 26/11 type incident.

"We have strengthened our security on all fronts," he said, adding that security arrangements would be in place as usual for the Republic Day where US President Barack Obama will be the chief guest in Delhi.

Pakistan troops have indulged in heavy mortar shelling and firing on several BSF posts along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba and Kathua sectors since the night of January 2, leaving a woman dead and several injured.

Indian forces have retaliated strongly. The Home Minister ordered BSF on Friday to take appropriate action and give a befitting reply to firing by Pakistan on Indian posts along the International Border.

The Home Minister is constantly monitoring the situation, officials said.

BSF sources said they have have reports that five Pakistani Rangers have been killed in the exchange of fire, with six civilians having suffered major injuries.