Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Monday accused the central government of "failing" to respond adequately to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

 

 

 "Deaths of jawans and civilians on the borders have become a regular feature ever since the NDA government came to power at the Centre," Azad said on a day when five Indian civilians were killed in cross-border firing.

 

 Pakistan Rangers Monday resorted to indiscriminate firing along the international border in Jammu district, killing five civilians and injuring 29 others. The Pakistan Army also violated the 2003 bilateral ceasefire in Poonch district Monday.

 

 "The failure of the NDA government is visible. Government has failed to respond proportionately, adequately and effectively, which probably has emboldened Pakistani forces to perpetuate tensions, thus creating hardships for people residing in border areas," the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said.

 

 "It seems that Pakistan is taking the new government non-seriously and is hell bent on creating tension in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir," said Azad, who is a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and was the union health minister during the former Congress-led UPA-II government.

 

 Azad accused the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of having an inconsistent policy towards Pakistan.

 

 "…one day it is over-zealously enthusiastic about talks, and the other day it raises shrill jingoistic clamour for war," he said.