India giving befitting reply to Pakistan on ceasefire violations, says Manohar Parrikar

BILASPUR: India is giving a 'befitting' reply to Pakistan, which is engaged in continuous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri of Jammu & Kashmir, defence minister Manohar Parrikar said here on Sunday.

"Hum unhe muhtod jawab de rahen hai. Hamara response dugna-tiguna hai... (We are giving them (Pakistan) a befitting reply. Our response is double-triple (in intensity)," the defence minister said.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here organised by the 'Vanvasi Vikas Samiti'- a Sangh Pariwar-backed organization.

There were ceasefire violations by Pakistan in various sectors along the LoC in Poonch district for the eighth consecutive day. The intensified shelling on border posts and civilian area in Poonch and Rajouri have claimed six lives in last two days, drawing strong protest from India.

Responding to a query on rising infiltration bids by insurgents along the International Border with Pakistan, Parrikar said the government was putting up all measures to thwart such incidents.

"Owing to security reasons, I cannot furnish details on the issue but would surely like to tell that we are taking all the measures to foil infiltration bids," he said.

On the last month's terrorist attack in Punjab, wherein suspected Pakistani militants had entered India by crossing Ravi river, the minister said, "It's a bit difficult to do fencing along Ravi river. But keeping in view the security there, several electronic measures are being adopted (to guard the international border)."

Eight persons, including an SP, were killed, in the strike launched by three terrorists before they were gunned down.