Arun Jaitley commends Army's retaliation to Pak ceasefire violations

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday praised the Army for retaliating to the series of ceasefire violations from across the border which has claimed the lives of at least eight people and injured scores of others.

"Our forces have been doing a commendable job in the face of this act by Pakistan," said Jaitley.

He also said that India is never an aggressor but it has a paramount duty to defend its people and territory.

"There have been a series of unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan, mostly on international border and some on LoC. India is never an aggressor but it has a paramount duty to defend its people and territory," Jaitley added.

He also said that if Pakistan continues with this adventurism, then the Indian forces will make the cost of this adventurism unaffordable.

Jaitley also added that there was a connection between firing and infiltration as firing covers infiltration and it was essential to stop it.

"Pakistan has to stop this unprovoked firing and shelling, if this continues how will there be peace," Jaitley said.

Pakistani troops' firing along the International Border last night injured eight persons, including three BSF jawans.

Almost the whole stretch of the International Border including Samba, Hiranagar, Ramgarh, Arnia, RS Pura, Kanachak and Pargwal was affected by the firing.

Indian troops, however, also gave a befitting reply to the unprovoked firing.