)
India today asked Pakistan to stop ceasefire violations after heavy shelling and firing from across the border left five villagers dead and 29 injured.
"Pakistan should stop ceasefire violations now and understand the reality that times have changed in India," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.
He said the Centre is monitoring the situation and Jammu and Kashmir government is taking steps to provide relief to the residents of border areas affected by Pakistani firing.
The Narendra Modi government had adopted a tough stance vis-a-vis Pakistan and even cancelled Foreign Secretary level talks in August after Pakistan embassy in New Delhi had called separatist leaders from Kashmir for consultations.
Singh said he has spoken to BSF Director General D K Pathak to get first hand information about the situation in Arina area along the International Border in Jammu region.
"DG, BSF has been instructed to rush to the border areas of J&K where incidents of ceasefire violations have been reported," he said.
The Congress also condemed the ceasefire violations by Pakistan and said it was a 'serious issue'. They added that Pakistan should desist from such activities.
"Whatever Pakistan is doing is certainly a serious matter. And we want to tell Pakistan that indulging in such activities is not good for that country," Congress leader Rashid Alvi said.
Condemning Pakistan's actions, former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said it is despicable that such incidents have occurred on Eid. "There cannot be anything worse than this," the Congress leader said.
Five villagers were killed and 29 injured in heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistani troops targeting hamlets and outposts along the International Border in Jammu district since last night in one of the worst ceasefire violations.
This was the 11th ceasefire violations along Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir during last four days.
On October 3, Pakistani troops and Rangers violated ceasefire in Gulmarg sector of Kashmir Valley and in Poonch and Jammu sectors in which a girl was killed and six persons were injured.
