Pak violating ceasefire despite our hand of friendship:Rajnath

Asking Pakistan to stop ceasefire violations, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said while India has been offering its hand of friendship, Pakistan was repeatedly targeting border areas in India.

"Pakistan is our neighbouring country and we want good ties with all our neighbouring countries. Pakistan should stop ceasefire violations," Singh told reporters.

He wondered why Pakistan was continuously indulging in ceasefire violations, despite having suffered badly every time.

"While we are offering our hand of friendship to Pakistan, it is continuously indulging in ceasefire violations. We made a beginning by inviting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shook hands with him offering not just friendship but also hoping to unite hearts. Despite that, Pakistan is indulging in ceasefire violations repeatedly," he said.

The Minister said India has taken all necessary steps to strengthen security to ensure there is no repeat of a 26/11 incident.

"We have strengthened our security on all fronts," he said, adding that security arrangements would be in place as usual for the Republic Day where US President Barack Obama will be the Chief Guest in Delhi.

Singh was talking to reporters after inaugurating the national executive meeting of BJP's SC Morcha here today.

Pakistan troops have indulged in heavy mortar shelling and firing on several BSF posts along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba and Kathua sectors since last night, leaving a woman dead and several injured.

Indian forces have retaliated strongly. The Home Minister had yesterday ordered BSF to take appropriate action and give a befitting reply to firing by Pakistan on Indian posts along the International Border.

The Home Minister is constantly monitoring the situation, Home Ministry officials have said.