Our commitment to peace is unfailing, but even our patience has limits: Mukherjee

Addressing the nation on the eve of India's 67th Independence Day, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said the country and the government's commitment to peace is unfailing, but cautioned that its patience in not reacting to repeated acts of aggression had limits.

President Mukherjee said the country has seen in the recent past grave challenges to its security, internal as well as external.

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"The barbaric face of Maoist violence in Chhattisgarh led to a loss of many innocent lives. Despite India's consistent efforts to build friendly relations with neighbours, there have been tensions on the border and repeated violations of the ceasefire on the Line of Control, leading to tragic loss of lives. Our commitment to peace is unfailing but even our patience has limits," said President Mukherjee.

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"All steps necessary to ensure internal security and protect the territorial integrity of the nation will be taken. I applaud the courage and heroism of our security and armed forces who maintain eternal vigilance and pay homage to those who have made the supreme sacrifice of the most precious gift of life in the service of the motherland," he added.

Earlier on August 6, five Indian soldiers were killed by Pakistani Specialist Forces on August 6 along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District.