Pak's move on Kashmiri separatists provocative: Arun Jaitley

Amritsar, Aug 18: Slamming Pakistan, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday said the "provocative" act of talking to Kashmiri separatist leaders and "deliberate" border ceasefire violations clearly show that the neighbouring country and "powers within" it do not want normal relations with India.

He asserted that it was for Pakistan to choose what kind of relationship it wants with India. "It is clear that there is deliberate ceasefire violation from Pakistan side. Earlier, it was only on the Line of Control but now it is also on the international border," he told reporters after visiting forward areas of Punjab border with Pakistan.

"It is obvious that Pakistan and the powers within don't want the ties between the two countries to be normal," Jaitley said. The Defence Minister also slammed Pakistan for inviting Kashmiri separatist leaders before the Foreign Secretary-level talks on August 25 which have since been cancelled.

"With these kinds of provocative ceasefire violations and more seriously invitations being given to separatists to meet the Pakistan High Commissioner, it is for Pakistan to decide what kind of relationship it wants with India," Jaitley said

. Pakistan has been repeatedly violating the border ceasefire and called Kashmiri separatist leaders for "inputs" before the Foreign Secretary-level talks that angered India. During the last 10 days, there have been 11 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along LoC and IB in Jammu region only during the past 10 days.

Jaitley said he visited the forward posts of the armed forces along the border and said, "our jawans are fully prepared to respond to any ceasefire violations by Pakistan."

PTI