Indian troops will retaliate firmly to Pakistan: Army Commander

"We have seen over last two weeks or so that the number of incidents have increased," said Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda said.

"The response has to be firm," the General Officer Commanding in Chief (GoC-in-C) of Northern Command told PTI while commenting on the Pakistani firing and ceasefire violations along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC).

Asked about instructions to the troops, he said "they will carry out firm response and retaliate effectively as they feel fit where they deemed fit. Nobody has to look over the shoulder to higher headquarter that this is what I need I need to do." 

On the issue of the ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Lt Gen Hooda said "the scene was largely peaceful (environment) along the borders in 2014 and 2013. But we have seen over last two weeks or so, the number of incidents has increased." 

He said the incidents have taken place in Nougam sector where two BSF men lost their lives in two incidents.

"Now we are seeing that it has again started since yesterday along IB and LoC sectors today. There are increasing incidents that are taking place," he added.