India Threatens to Retaliate Against Pakistan over Ceasefire Violations

India has threatened to "retaliate" against Pakistan over the recent ceasefire violation incidents on the India-Pakistan border.

Addressing the media before a scheduled flag meet between the two countries over the killings of soldiers, Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh said: "I have given very categorical directions to the Northern Command. When we are provoked we shall respond immediately. I expect my commanders to be aggressive in the face of firing. We will retaliate against Pakistan's attack at a place and time of our choosing."

"We will retaliate if provoked and fired upon, and let me tell you we have fired back," said the army chief.

New Delhi has accused Pakistani troops of mutilating two Indian soldiers in the wake of a series of ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) near the town of Mendhar in Poonch.

One of the soldiers was decapitated while unconfirmed reports suggest the Pakistani soldiers took away the soldier's head as a trophy. The soldier's wife and his mother have been holding an indefinite fast in their village demanding return of his head.

Islamabad has denied the allegations and in turn accused India of killing a Pakistani solider.

Singh accused Pakistani army personnel of being involved in the killings, but did not rule out the hand of the militant organisation, Lashkar-e-Taiba. Singh described the killings of the soldiers as "gruesome" and "unpardonable" in line with similar strong responses from top ministers in New Delhi.

"This incident has had strategic nuances, beheading our soldiers is not acceptable. The act was against ethics and principles of rules of engagement," said Singh who is planning to lodge a strong protest at the flag meet.

Hours ahead of the meeting, fresh exchange of fire was reported in the area, but there were no injuries or casualties on either side.

During the much-awaited meeting, aimed at easing tensions, both New Delhi and Islamabad are likely to confront each other on the ceasefire violations in recent days.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars in the Muslim-majority Kashmir region over territorial disputes.