Pak Army behind Rangers involved in ceasefire violations: Govt

Jammu: The Pakistani Army is standing behind the Rangers who are involved in frequent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday.

"There are indications that Pakistani Army is also with the Rangers," he told reporters here.

He said the Border Security Force (BSF) has been able to take appropriate action over ceasefire violations due to which they (Pakistani side) are feeling frustrated.

"There is a befitting reply from Indian side and the other side is also realising that the manner in which they are suffering casualties," said Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.

He visited border areas, which have come under heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistani troops along the LoC.

"I had a meeting with senior officials of BSF including the Director General. I think that the people are feeling quiet vindicated that the response from this side has been quiet well unlike as it had been in earlier occasions. It is very befitting reply given from Indian side," he said.

Apparently hitting out at the previous UPA regime, he said, "This time it is not the case that they would come and take away soldiers' heads." Singh, however, refrained from any direct attack.

"I think this is not the time to make any politically loaded statement," he said.

Pakistani troops have targeted 50 border out posts (BoPs) and 35 hamlets overnight along the 192-km boundary. The escalation has triggered an exodus, with 16,000 people moving to safer areas from border villages.

Eight people have been killed and 71 others, including BSF jawans, injured in Pakistani shelling and firing along LoC and International Border in Jammu and Poonch districts since October 1.