RAWALPINDI, Aug 12: Pakistan will further beef up security along its porous border with Afghanistan in the run up to polls in Afghanistan. This was stated by Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan while talking to Iran’s Irna news agency on Friday.

He said more personnel would be deployed to check infiltration and cross-border movement along almost 2400-kilometer long rugged border. Pakistan has already deployed about 70,000 security personnel along the border following the fall of Taliban regime in 2002. Reconnaissance helicopters and check-points are part of the efforts to check cross-border movement.

Meanwhile, the ISPR chief told a PTV programme that Pakistan would continue the policy of minimum deterrence without entering into arms race (with India).

“Minimum deterrence is the cornerstone and important ingredient of the strategy of our national security,” he said and added that it was necessary to establish balance of power in the region to maintain peace.

He said Pakistan tested its nuclear bombs as the Indian nuclear explosions disturbed the balance of power in the region.

The director-general said India was thinking to acquire certain weaponry, including Israeli-made aero system and the US arms.

There was a general perception at home that if the India got these weapons, they would be able to shift the balance of power in their favour, he said, adding that the perception was true to some extent.

Successful tests of cruise missile Hataf VII Babur was a major boost to country’s defence, the ISPR DG said. He said the missile would not be detected by the radar due to its low height.

He said Pakistan wanted to establish peace and good relations with India. —PPI/APP