Over 400 ceasefire violations along IB, LoC ibetween Aug-Nov: Centre

New Delhi: There were 363 ceasefire violations along the International Border and 61 on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan between August and 17 November, the government told Rajya Sabha today. In a written reply, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh said that government continues to take all necessary steps to safeguard India’s territorial integrity and safety and security of people.[caption id=“attachment_1824953” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Union Minister Gen VK Singh. PTI[/caption] He was answering a question about instances of violation of ceasefire by Pakistan during past three months and the response of the governments of the countries to it. “All such violations are taken up with Pakistani authorities through the established mechanisms of hotlines, flag meetings, weekly talks between the Directorate Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs), as well as through diplomatic channels,” the minister, a former Army Chief, said. He said that it has been repeatedly emphasised to Pakistan, including at the highest level, the need for it to uphold the sanctity of the LoC and the IB in Jammu and Kashmir as its obligation emanating from the Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration. The minister also recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the UNGA on 27 September underlined Pakistan’s responsibility in creating an appropriate atmosphere for a constructive and substantive bilateral engagement, which requires a peaceful environment without the shadow of terrorism. PTI