Enemies of Pakistan will get befitting response, says Nawaz

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, witnessing military exercises showcasing combat-readiness of the armed forces near the Indian border, in an apparent warning to India on Wednesday said any effort to harm Pakistan's national security interests will be met with a "befitting response".

Nawaz Sharif and Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif inspected the exercises at Khairpur Tamewali near Bahawalpur, merely days after seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in firing across the Line of Control.

The military exercises, codenamed Raad ul Barq, "reflect the preparedness of our armed forces to respond to any threat to national security", the Prime Minister said.

"No country can remain oblivious to threats to national security," he added.

Nawaz Sharif termed the "killing of civilians and soldiers along the LoC" as "another act of aggression that warrants international attention".

"The situation at the border remains sensitive due to India's grave violation of the ceasefire agreement," he added.

The Prime Minister said a policy of non-interference was practised by Pakistan, which "expects the same from others to enable lasting peace in our region".

"We cannot remain detached from recent developments in the region. Efforts to harm security and territorial integrity will be met with befitting response," Nawaz Sharif said.

--IANS

ahm/rn/vt