New Delhi:
Blaming Islamabad for the loss of innocent lives due to the repeated ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday assured the nation that the armed forces were ready to give a befitting reply to Pakistan's provocations.
"Pakistan has been repeatedly trying to create tension both at the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). Now, this is resulting in a series of ceasefire violations which are taking place, as a result of which innocent civilians have lost their lives," Jaitley said.
Jaitley put the onus on Pakistan to create an atmosphere of normalcy.
"Pakistan must realise that the kind of environment it is generating between the two countries is certainly not going to help in normalizing the relationships. The onus for creating a positive environment is of Pakistan," said Jaitley.
"Let everybody be assured that our armed forces and paramilitary forces are fully ready and they are responding to each of these provocations that Pakistan is making," he added.
In one of the worst ceasefire violations, five villagers were killed and 29 injured in heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistani troops targeting hamlets and outposts along the International Border in Jammu district today.
src:sify.com