Manmohan_File_670
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. — File photo

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warned Tuesday that there “cannot be business as usual” with Pakistan after last week's deadly flare-up along the border in disputed Kashmir. “It cannot be business as usual” with Pakistan, he told reporters on the sidelines of an army function.

“What has happened is unacceptable,” he added in reference to the killing of two Indian soldiers, one of whom was beheaded.

“Those responsible for this crime will have to be brought to book.”

Singh's comments came a day after commanders of the two armies traded protests over the border exchanges and the chief of India's million-plus military ordered an “aggressive” response to any fresh cross-border firing.

The Indian government has accused Pakistani soldiers of crossing into Indian territory and killing two of its soldiers on Jan 8.

Pakistan denies its troops were involved in any such incident and has accused Indian troops of killing two of its soldiers.

Foreign ministers of both sides have warned against escalating tensions.

But the Indian army chief of staff told his commanders Monday to respond “aggressively” to any future Pakistani firing across the de facto border in Kashmir known as the Line of Control.

Must Read

May 12, 2007 — the day Karachi went berserk

May 12, 2007 — the day Karachi went berserk

Retired SHC judge recalls the bloody Saturday when the city was under siege for nearly 24 hours and held hostage by forces in the face of whom even jurists and law enforcers were helpless.

Opinion

Editorial

A turbulent 2023
Updated 12 May, 2024

A turbulent 2023

Govt must ensure judiciary's independence, respect for democratic processes, and protection for all citizens against abuse of power.
A moral victory
12 May, 2024

A moral victory

AS the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Friday in favour of granting Palestine greater rights at the...
Hope after defeat
12 May, 2024

Hope after defeat

ON Saturday, having fallen behind Japan in the first quarter of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final, Pakistan showed...
Taxing pensions
Updated 11 May, 2024

Taxing pensions

Tax reforms have failed to deliver because of distortions created by the FBR bureaucracy through SROs, apparently for personal gains.
Orwellian slide
11 May, 2024

Orwellian slide

IN recent years, Pakistan has made several attempts at introducing an overarching mechanism through which to check...
Terror against girls
11 May, 2024

Terror against girls

ONCE again, the ogre of terrorism is seeking the sacrifice of schoolgirls. On Wednesday, just days after the...