India Will Respond to Ceasefire Violations

Srinagar: In a clear message to Pakistan, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the country’s forces are capable of responding to ceasefire violations along the Line of Control by Pakistan. Jaitley, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir, said he will review security related matters with the state government and officers involved in the security grid. 

Asked about ceasefire violations, including the one ahead of his visit, the defence minister said “our forces are capable of responding to it”. Jaitley was speaking to reporters at the Raj Bhawan, where he will be staying overnight. 

Accompanied by Army chief General Bikram Singh, Jaitley arrived on his maiden visit since assuming charge as Defence Minister last month and is slated to meet the Governor N N Vohra and chief minister Omar Abdullah. 

Ahead of Jaitley’s visit, Pakistan troops had on Friday targeted Indian posts in Poonch sector with heavy weaponry like mortar shells, prompting India to remind it that maintenance of peace on border is a “pre-condition” for normalisation of relations. 

Indian troops had retaliated effectively. J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah had questioned the timing of the ceasefire violation. “Is it just a coincidence that the defence minister is visiting J&K, for his 1st visit, to review the security situation tomorrow?” Omar tweeted. 

Between end of April and mid-May, 19 incidents of ceasefire violation were reported along the LoC.

 

(With PTI inputs)