By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that Pakistan will vigorously deter enemy aggression and deliver a robust response while referring to recent violations of ceasefire in Kashmir by Indian forces. During the visit of Line of Control (LOC) in Chirikot sector of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Dastgir said that the sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers and civilians have strengthened the nation and its resolve to defend its liberty at any cost. The minister also reiterated the resolve to continue political, diplomatic and moral supports to Kashmiris for their just struggle for the right to self-determination, according to media reports. Meeting the troops and appreciating their vigilance and commitment, Khurram Dastgir Khan said that the nation stood firm behind its soldiers who were valiantly defending the country’s borders. Condemning the repeated violations of the ceasefire by Indian army, the defence minister said that the neighbouring country opened fire at innocent civilians on our side of the border multiple times throughout the previous year. General Officer Commanding briefed Defence Minister in detail on situation along LOC and told him that the ceasefire violations had increased manifold during 2017 but Pakistan army had retaliated forcefully each time. Commander 10 Corps briefed the Defense Minister comprehensively during a flight over all the major sectors of LOC and accompanied the Minister to Chirikot. Chief of Pakistan Army, General Qamar Javed Bajwa also visited the Line of Control and Working Boundary and met the soldiers. According to media wing of Pakistan Army, ISPR, General Bajwa said “Our commitment to abide by the ceasefire agreement of 2003 should never be misconstrued as response limitation,” He said that Indian aggression or any misadventure would always get a most befitting response. COAS also visited CMH Sialkot to meet injured citizens due to recent Indian shelling. COAS directed for enhanced protective measures including construction of more community shell protection shelters for civil population, the ISPR statement added.
