India attempts to divert attention from our fight against terror:Pakistan

Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in a statement: "In response to a question regarding the comment by the Spokesperson of Indian External Affairs, the Spokesperson said that Pakistan is opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and has been the biggest victim of terrorism. The people and Government of Pakistan are determined to eradicate this menace from our territory. The brave armed forces of Pakistan are successfully conducting a comprehensive and across the board operation - Zarb-e-Azb to root out terrorism."

" On the other hand, the People of Pakistan see the escalation of tension by India on the Line of Control and Working Boundary, through continuous unprovoked firing and targeting of civilians, as an attempt to distract our armed forces from its valiant mission against all terrorists. The baseless and preposterous Indian allegations regarding the so called “terror boat” from Pakistan are also in the same vein," read the statement.

India and Pakistan are currently engaged in diplomatic tussle over a mysterious boat from Pakistan being blown up off  Porbandar  coast on New Year's eve after it was challenged and chased by Indian coast guards.

India says the boat had sailed from Karachi on a mission for some 'illicit transaction' and it was to destroy the evidence that the vessel's four crew members blew it off. Pakistan, however, denies the presence of any of its fishing boats near the maritime area that day.

"The Indian Spokesperson also made equally baseless and malicious allegations regarding the ‘citings’ of Punjabi/Urdu speaking terrorist elements in Afghanistan. India is reminded to refrain from attempts to create misunderstanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the two brotherly nations bound by common destiny, shared culture, history and religion. These efforts are also in violation of all international norms," read the statement.

Pakistan made the remarks at a time when Border Security Force (BSF)  Director General D.K. Pathak on Tuesday said they will respond if Pakistan targeted them.

"We want peace but it can't be just from one side," Pathak told media.

"We will not remain silent if they target us," he said.

In a ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops continued to fire from across the international border in Jammu and Kashmir targeting BSF posts on Monday night, media reports said.

The heavy shelling forced about 10,000 people near the border area to flee their homes. Sources said that schools and colleges were closed for an indefinite period and the ongoing examinations for Class XI were also put off.

The Pakistani shelling over the last few days extended to as much as 3.5 km inside Indian territory in some places like Chakra, Sherpur and Londi, reports said.

As many as 15 Indian posts were attacked by the Pakistan Rangers in Samba and Hiranagar on Monday killing one BSF jawan. One woman was killed and 10 other civilians were injured in ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops earlier this week.

Sources said that new relief camps were opened at Sallan, Chhankhatryan, Chak Haria and Upper Londi to cater to residents who had been evacuated due to heavy shelling along the border areas.