Omar concerned over ceasefire violations, asks Modi Govt. to fulfill its commitment for 'ache din'

Asserting that ceasefire violations by Pakistan is a matter of serious concern, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said it is time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre to fulfill its commitment for 'ache din' and restore peace and normality along the border.

"I think it is a matter of very serious concern. The ceasefire violations are increasing in intensity. They are no longer confined only to BSF posts. By design now, civilian areas are being targeted, civilians are being killed and injured, people are being forced to migrate from border areas," Abdullah told reporters here.

"Given the breakdown in communication between India and Pakistan, I don't know how Narendra Modi government plans to resolve this issue. But they have an obligation to resolve this because they promised the people of this country 'ache din'. The people living along the border are people of this country. They have as much right to those 'ache din' as anybody else but they are not seeing those 'ache din'. If anything they are seeing their lives go from bad to worse and, therefore, I think it is time that Prime Minister Modi and his government to fulfill its commitment for 'Ache Din' and restore peace and normality along the border," he added.

Abdullah further said the cancellation of the talks between New Delhi and Islamabad was not a result of the ceasefire violation.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley earlier in the day assured that the armed forces are giving the required response to the violations by Pakistan.

"There has been a series of provocations in the last few days. But our armed forces at the LoC and the Border Security Force (BSF) at the international border are fully protecting both our territory and our people. Whatever response is required to these provocations by Pakistan is adequately taken by them," he told mediapersons on the sidelines of a programme at Jangipur in West Bengal's Murshidabad district.

Intense shelling from across the border last night led to yet another sleepless night for the residents of RS Pura and Arnia sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani troops targeted at least 25 Border Security Force (BSF) posts in Jammu and Kashmir last night, forcing the Indian side to retaliate.

This came after repeated instances of shelling, including one on Friday night, that had left two civilians dead and one BSF jawan injured.