There won’t be any flag meetings with Pakistan: Govt

The government had on Tuesday said that it would observe Pakistan’s “behaviour” in the coming days before taking a decision on flag meetings.

Indian forces will not do anything to escalate the situation but respond according to the situation, he said.

“We have to see that the situation does not go out of hand. Everything is taken good care of by our forces. Even though our Prime Minister is campaigning, it does not mean that he is out of touch with the ground situation. Directions are being given,” he said at an election rally here.

Addressing a series of rallies in Karnal, Faridabad and Kaithal, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured people living in bordering villages of Jammu and Kashmir that they would soon return to their homes as “misadventure” from Pakistani side will be responded adequately.

“The situation in India has changed and Pakistan should understand this,” he said.

He lauded the role of BSF and Army in giving a befitting reply to Pakistan.

Responding to queries from journalists after an election rally, Singh said, “Every Indian can hold his head high with pride. I wish to congratulate our BSF jawans and Army jawans on the manner in which they have responded to the border firings.

“The situation in India has changed. I feel Pakistan  should understand that.”

About the migration of people from bordering villages of  the state, Singh said, “No one will have to leave. People who reside at the border will return and remain there. I wish to assure people that BSF and Army are responding appropriately and I would like to commend them for the same.”

Rijiju said border villages, which have come under shelling by Pakistan Rangers, will be evacuated only if  necessary.

Pakistani troops have targeted 50 border out posts and 35 hamlets overnight along the 192-km boundary. The escalation has triggered an exodus, with 16,000 people moving to safer areas from border villages.

Eight people have been killed and over 70, including BSF jawans, injured in Pakistani shelling and firing along LoC and International Border in Jammu and Poonch districts since October 1.