Jammu, Jan 6 (IANS) India will not do anything to disturb peace along the border in Jammu and Kashmir but will retaliate to any aggression by Pakistan, BSF chief D.K. Pathak said Tuesday.
The BSF director general said his men foiled three-four attempts by terrorists to sneak into India since Dec 31.
"India will not do anything to disturb peace along the border but will retaliate befittingly if the situation demands," Pathak told the media.
"Prevalence of peace (is the) best situation. But if Pakistan does not want peace, if firing comes from their side, we will definitely respond," he said.
"We cannot go on taking bullets," Pathak said, after paying tribute to Border Security Force trooper Devinder Singh who was killed in shelling by Pakistani border guards in Samba district Monday.
Pathak visited the international border in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts Tuesday to take stock of the situation following indiscriminate shelling by Pakistan Rangers in the last three days in which two BSF troopers and a woman were killed.
He said there has been no firing at the border since Monday night.
Pathak admitted Pakistan too suffered civilian deaths but said it was "collateral damage". India has never targeted civilian areas, he said.
"The BSF never targets civilian areas, there can be collateral damage... But they always fire first and target our civilian areas."
Asked about the provocation for the Pakistani firing, Pathak said: "There can be more than one. Since Dec 31, we have foiled three to four attempts of infiltration. We have good proof of this.
"There can be multiple reasons for the escalation in firing. It is possible they are trying to divert attention from Peshawar," Pathak said, referring to the massacre of over 140 school students and teachers.
"Maybe it is because of the Republic Day," he added. US President Barack Obama will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi Jan 26.
He said the last communication with Pakistan was Jan 1.
"On Jan 3, we went to deliver a protest note which they refused to accept. The note was then sent to the Wagah border, they refused to accept it there as well. So there has been no communication," he said.
The BSF chief said it could not be said with certainty whether the infiltration attempts were plotted by Lashkar-e-Taiba founder and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
"Hafiz Saeed could be a factor, but this cannot be said conclusively," Pathak said.
He said that intelligence reports indicate that a large number of militants could be waiting to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir.
More than 10,000 residents of border villages have so far abandoned their homes in Samba and Kathua districts because of the shelling by Pakistan. They are now lodged in makeshift accommodations in safer places away from the border.
Pakistan withdrew from making slave Kashmir a province due to the displeasure of the people, withdrew the 15th Constitution Amendment Bill
Pakistan's move to make slave Kashmir a province was once again foiled. Due to fierce opposition, Islamabad withdrew the 15th Constitutional Amendment that was brought to give the status of a province
Kangana Ranaut shares the secret of defeating Covid after refusing, trolls said - first show report
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut is in tremendous discussions on social media these days. Recently she has told that her corona test report has come negative ... Kangana had said something in the post
Ready to debate with Amit Shah: Kejriwal
New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal Saturday said he was ready to debate with BJP president Amit Shah if the party names him its chief ministerial candidate for
Child actors under too much pressure, says Olivia Williams
Los Angeles, Feb 5 (IANS) Actress Olivia Williams doesn't think children should act in films because there is too much pressure put on them to do a good job. The 46-year-old star has two daughters,
Ajay Devgan's daughter Nysa Devgan showed her boldest avatar ever in a body-hugging pink dress, looted the gathering at Kanika Kapoor's reception party
Nysa Devgan Bold Party Photos Viral: Nysa Devgan, daughter of Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgan and actress Kajol, is constantly in the news these days. Nysa, 19, has become very big and glamorous
Vaccine For Omicron Variant: Vaccine maker giant companies are gearing up, vaccine in the final testing phase in the UK
Vaccine For Omicron Variant: Vaccine companies in the world have taken the lead against the new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron. Vaccine manufacturers have started working on a new vaccine, with
Thalaivar 171: Shirt open, four gold watches in his hands, stylish Rajinikanth in the look of 'Thalaivar 171'
Thalaivar 171 First Poster: Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, who has given blockbuster films like Master, Vikram, and Leo, is in the news for South cinema superstar Rajinikanth starrer film Thalaivar 171.
Manipur: Supreme Court formed a committee of three former women judges for Manipur, who will submit report regarding relief-rehabilitation
The Supreme Court has constituted a committee of three women High Court judges to monitor the relief, rehabilitation, and compensation of the victims of violence in Manipur. This committee will assess
Will ask MLAs to return money spent on Brazil junket: Parsekar
Panaji, March 11 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar will personally speak to ruling lawmakers and urge them to return the money they spent on a junket to Brazil during the World Cup last
Shehnaaz-Janhvi: Ignoring Shehnaaz cost Janhvi a lot? Users said – Look at the attitude of Nepokids
Shehnaaz Gill is going to step into Bollywood through Salman Khan's film 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan'. Shehnaz Gill has earned a good name for herself even before her debut in films. His popularity