Peace with neighbours? Pak violates ceasefire, Modi tells Army to strike promptly

New Delhi: Directing the Army to take prompt and “appropriate” action in the event of a ceasefire violation on the Line of Control against the backdrop of a violation on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that the “government will fully support the security forces”, sources said. India also reminded Pakistan that the maintenance of peace on the border is a “pre-condition” for normalisation of ties.

(Read: Terror infrastructure in Pakistan intact, Prime Minister told)

Mr Modi was given an extensive war-room briefing by the Army pertaining to the situation on the borders with China and Pakistan, the Army’s operational preparedness and the critical deficiencies in certain kinds of equipment and weaponry that need to be addressed on a priority basis.

(Read: Pakistan violates ceasefire; heavy firing and mortar shelling along the LoC)

In another major development, letter diplomacy between India and Pakistan continued on Friday with Mr Modi writing a letter to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, saying that he was “looking forward” to working with him “in a violence-free atmosphere”.

(Read: Pakistan's violation of ceasefire an 'open challenge' to India: Congress)

But, significantly, the PM hoped that this cooperation would happen “in an atmosphere free from confrontation and violence in order to chart a new course in our bilateral relations”, an obvious reference to the terror attacks that target India and which emanate from Pakistani soil.