Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has finally broken his silence on the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army across the Line of Control and said that he does not want to go to war with India but the country will defend itself if required.
PM Sharif chaired a meeting with the federal cabinet to discuss the current situation in Indian Kashmir and also the recent ceasefire violations along the LoC by the Indian armed forces, Geo TV reported.
The cabinet condemned Indian 'atrocities' in Kashmir and also the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army on seven terror launch pads across the LoC that killed two Pakistani soldiers and 38 terrorists.
"The entire nation and the government stand with the Armed Forces," the prime minister said, adding that every Pakistani was ready to defend the country in case of any external threat.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) have been put on high alert in case Pakistan retaliates. The forces have evacuated several villages located along the border states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. The BSF has increased security on the land border while the Coast Guard have been directed to remain vigilant at sea.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has asked the authorities in the border states to evacuate villagers to safer areas, while the political leadership has been asked to monitor the evacuation process.
All schools and colleges in the area have been asked to shut down.
"Following the surgical strikes, high alert has been sounded across Gujarat, specially in the three districts — Banaskantha, Patan and Kutch — that share border with Pakistan. Coastal police stations have also been alerted to increase the vigil," Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel was quoted by the Indian Express as saying.
Fishermen have been asked not to venture out into the sea until further notice in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat while security forces and intelligence network have been put on high alert along the border with Pakistan in Kutch.
In Punjab, women and children from hundreds of villages located in the Fazilka and Ferozepur districts left for their relatives' homes located away from the border. The men, however, stayed back.
"Many villagers have witnessed Kargil war and have also faced huge losses, so they have decided to look forward to whatever happens now. Villagers are facing problem but whatever the Indian army did was correct," a resident in the Attari sector of Punjab told ANI.
The deputy commissioners of Fazilka and Ferozepur said 26 relief camps were set up in schools and colleges in each district for the villagers. They are being provided with food and other relief materials
"We have been told that this night is crucial and Pakistan can strike back. So it would not be safe to stay in the village, many have already left," Satnam Singh, husband of Amarjit Kaur who is the sarpanch of Dauke in Punjab, told the IE.
Security forces on high alert in border areas of Nowgam in Handwara sector (J&K) after Indian army conducts #SurgicalStrike pic.twitter.com/6Ayq4XCroh
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 30, 2016
Naushera(J&K): Villagers near International Border being evacuated after #SurgicalStrike by Indian Army pic.twitter.com/rBIvgaIyFk — ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
The Civil Hospital in Pathankot was also evacuated by the Armed Forces for fear of retaliation by the Pakistan Army.
Punjab: Emergency ward of Civil Hospital in Pathankot being cleared in preparation for any eventuality #SurgicalStrike pic.twitter.com/EvSfSNIxIB
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
Punjab: Villages near Attari sector being evacuated after #SurgicalStrike conducted by Indian Army. pic.twitter.com/ma9D7SMCp2 — ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
Punjab: Villages in #Pathankot being evacuated following #SurgicalStrike by Indian Army pic.twitter.com/5e8rig5MXT
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
Punjab: Villages in Attari sector being evacuated after #SurgicalStrike conducted by Indian Army. pic.twitter.com/FbI21Ws6Cg — ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
Somnath(Gujarat): Fishermen called back from sea following Indian Army's #SurgicalStrike pic.twitter.com/zpknOWs6sW
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016
J&K: Villages in Samba sector being evacuated after #SurgicalStrike conducted by Indian Army (Last night visuals) pic.twitter.com/gzQxitknxD — ANI (@ANI_news) September 30, 2016
Punjab: Villages in Firozpur being evacuated after #SurgicalStrike conducted by Indian Army. (29/09/16) pic.twitter.com/GDSVtESfN1
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 30, 2016
Gurdaspur(Punjab): Administration build temporary bridge to facilitate villagers being evacuated to cross Ravi River at Dera Baba Nanak area pic.twitter.com/Dc3Or4gr3V — ANI (@ANI_news) September 30, 2016
Pathankot (Punjab): Relief camps established for villagers evacuated from border areas after Indian army conducts #SurgicalStrike pic.twitter.com/V8MF7Zv75V
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 30, 2016
Punjab: Villagers in Firozpur being evacuated after #SurgicalStrike conducted by Indian Army. pic.twitter.com/apQh1q334Y — ANI (@ANI_news) September 30, 2016
Punjab: Prayers being offered by locals in Attari sector after #SurgicalStrike conducted by Indian Army. pic.twitter.com/pQUnRk1KVK
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 30, 2016
Chhattisgarh: District Reserve Group Jawans celebrate in Jagdalpur after #SurgicalStrike by Indian Army. pic.twitter.com/nbXvBkoCFr — ANI (@ANI_news) September 29, 2016