Adopting a tough stance over repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) DK Pathak that his force will respond in equal measure to provocation from across the border.
Speaking after paying tributes to Constable Devender Singh who was martyred in the recent ceasefire violation in Samba sector, Pathak said, “It’s not a happy situation. We want normalcy to be restored as soon as possible but what can be done? How can keep silent? We will respond when we are fired at.”
“We want peace but peace has to come from both the sides, it cannot be one sided,” he said, adding that there has been not a single provocation from the Indian side.
Pathak said that the unprovoked firing along the border in J&K may be a cover to push in militants into the state.
“From 31st (December) night have foiled 2-3 attempts of infiltration, could be the reason (for unprovoked firing),” he said.
Pathak added that it is possible that Pakistan is keeping its eastern border volatile to deflect the country’s attention from the Peshawar school attack.
The BSF DG said that both sides last held talks on Jan 1. Since then, Pakistani Rangers refused to accept India’s protest note on two occasions.
On the death of civilians, Pathak said, “BSF, as a professional organisation, will never target civilian areas, whereas from their side they invariably target civilian areas.”
