The Defence Minister,Mr Arun Jaitely has said that whatever response is required to the provocation by the Pakistan is adequately taken care of. Speaking to newsman on the sidelines of a programme at Jangipur in Mursidabad district of West Bengal today, Mr Jaitely said that there have series of provocations by Pakistan since last few days. He said armed forces at the LOC and BSF at the International borders are fully protecting both the territory and the people.

Meanwhile, Pakistani troops continued to violate the ceasefire by shelling and firing upon 25 Border Out Posts(BoPs) and 19 villages along the International Border in Jammu sector throughout the night, prompting the BSF to retaliate. A BSF officer said today, Pak Rangers resorted to heavy firing of small and automatic weapons and shelling of mortars bombs on 25 BoPs and civilian areas in Arnia and R S Pura sub-sectors of Jammu district from 8.30 hours last night.

BSF troops gave a befitting reply by responding strongly and the heavy exchanges continued till 7.30 hours this morning. As per the official reports, Pakistan troops also targeted 19 Border villages throughout the night. No loss of life or injury and damage to any property is reported from the Indian side. Divisional Police Officer, R S Pura, Devender Singh said, civilian casualties were avoided due to evacuation of villagers from over 20 border hamlets in R S Pura and Arnia sub-sectors of Jammu district. There have been 18 ceasefire violations in less then a fortnight and 20 in the month of August.