Rajnath downplays Pak 'warning', says India's borders are secure

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday downplayed Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif's 'warning' to India with regards to alleged ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), stating that India is ready to defend her borders.

"India has no response [to General Sharif's statement]. Pakistan can say whatever it wants to say, but India is ready to defend her borders. I want to assure the citizens that India's borders are secure," Singh told mediapersons.

On Thursday, a release by the Pakistan army quoted General Sharif as warning India of a 'befitting response'.

"Repeated Indian ceasefire violations on the [International Border] and the LoC in recent past were a distraction for Pakistan from campaign versus terrorism and it affects regional stability. Let there be no doubt that any provocation along LoC and [International Border] will meet a befitting response," the statement said.

This statement comes just days before Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar's visit to Islamabad.