Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Manohar Parrikar discuss security situation

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today took stock of the security situation in the country, especially along the Indo-Pak border where unprovoked shelling from across the border have been continuing.

At the hour-long meeting, senior officials briefed the top Ministers about the prevailing situation along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) and Kashmir Valley, where unrest has been continuing ever since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8.

Sources said in the last few days, the Pakistani firing towards Indian posts and civilian areas were restricted only along the LoC and there have been uneasy calm along the IB.

A detailed presentation about the overall security situation in the country was presented before the meeting, sources said.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Pakistani troops today shelled Indian posts and civilian areas along LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, forcing Indian troops to retaliate.

There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district.

Pakistani forces used 120mm mortar bombs and automatic weapons during the ceasefire violation and the Indian side has given befitting reply to them.

In Islamabad, Indian Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh was summoned over alleged ceasefire violations by India, even as the Indian diplomat in turn protested the unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops along the LoC that has resulted in casualties, including that of soldiers.

This is for the fifth time in over two weeks that the Indian Deputy High Commissioner was summoned to the Pakistani Foreign Office.