We only retaliate, we don't initiate: BSF chief on ceasefire violations along LoC

R S Pura: Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF), D K Pathak said that the paramilitary force resorts to firing only to retaliate.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Pathak said, "We have a policy. Our ethics of conflict, our way of engagement is that we never initiate the firing. Also, we never fire at civilian areas."

"As a border guarding force, it is our moral responsibility and duty to defend ourselves and to defend the civilians living in the border area, which we are doing very effectively," he added.

Ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Boundary between Pakistan and India continue intermittently, with casualties reported on both sides.

Pathak said, "They are targeting civilian areas and their motive is definitely not right. If there is firing between two uniformed forces, the target should be the only force."

Pakistani troops fired on 40 border outposts (BoPs) and 24 villages along the International Border in Jammu and Samba districts, leaving three people injured.

According to reports, there have been 33 ceasefire violations since July 16.

The BSF had taken up the responsibility of erecting border fencing in Jammu and Kashmir. The force was successful in its job inspite of efforts to foil the same by Pakistan.