Islamabad: Pakistan’s Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Friday warned India of a “befitting response” to alleged provocation along the Line of Control (LoC).
This warning comes just days before the crucial visit of Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar in Islamabad.
“Repeated Indian ceasefire violations on the Working Boundary and the LoC in recent past was a distraction for Pakistan from campaign versus terrorism and it affects regional stability,” a statement issued by the military quoted Sahrif as saying.
“Let there be no doubt that any provocation along LoC and Working Boundary will meet a befitting response,” he said.
Military spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said the Army chief visited areas affected by recent Indian firing near Sialkot and met troops and local residents.
Pakistan and India have traded heavy fire in the area in recent months.
Jaishankar will arrive in Islamabad on a two-day visit on March 3, seven months after India cancelled Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan.
India broke off Foreign Secretary-level talks in August last at the eleventh hour because the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi held consultations with Kashmiri separatists.
(With inputs from PTI)