Jammu, Apr 2 (IANS): The Border Security Force (BSF) said on Tuesday that the Indian security forces were giving a befitting reply to Pakistan's unprovoked shelling and firing on the border in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony for Inspector T. Alex Lalminlun who was killed on Monday in Pakistani shelling on the LoC in Poonch, BSF Director General R.K. Mishra said the BSF was fully prepared to meet any challenge posed by ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said there were round the year challenges faced by the BSF while protecting the country's borders. "We have accepted the challenge and are prepared for it."

He said that Pakistani forces had been targeting civilian areas "which is very unfortunate".

Asked about casualties suffered by Pakistan troops, he said: "We are waiting for the feedback to ascertain the casualties suffered by them."

Lalminlun, 35, was manning a forward location when a mortar fired by Pakistan hit his post.