Pakistan violates ceasefire again; Manmohan Singh talks tough

Jammu, 15 Jan 2013 (PTI): Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire again on Tuesday as they targetted Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Pakistani troops fired a few rounds on Indian positions at around 5.45pm along the LoC in Mendhar, PRO defence, Col R K Palta said.

 

The firing lasted for a brief period and Indian troops did not retaliate, he said adding there was no loss of life or injury to anyone.

 

The latest ceasefire violation by Pakistan came a day after Army chief Gen Bikram Singh issued a clear warning to Pakistan saying India reserves the right to retaliate at the "time and place" of its choosing.

 

There had been three ceasefire violations soon after the conclusion of the brigader-level flag meeting along the LoC in Uri, Mendhar and Balnoi forward areas on January 14.

 

Northern command chief Lt Gen KT Parnaik told reporters during the day that soon after the conclusion of flag meeting, Pakistan opened small arms fire on Charanda area in Uri and Mendhar in Poonch and fired mortar shells in Balnoi area.

 

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh broke his silence and gave a tough message to Pakistan that it cannot be business as usual in the aftermath of the beheading of an Indian soldier on the line of control last week.

 

He emphasised that those responsible for the "barbaric act" of beheading of Lance Naik Hemraj will have to be brought to book and hoped "Pakistan realises this".

 

"After this barbaric act there cannot be business as usual (with Pakistan)," the PM said.