NEW DELHI: Government has given full backing to border forces to go on the offensive in the event of unprovoked firing from Pakistan along the Indo-Pak border . The result is that border forces have pulled out all stops and gone for targeted and precision firing which has led to far more casualties on Pakistan side in just 10 days of firing this year than was witnessed in 30 days of skirmishes last year in August.As many as eight people, including soldiers, LeT terrorists and civilians, have been killed in Pakistan and over two dozen injured in the firings that began on August 16 this year. On the Indian side, however, there have been only two casualties — of civilians. All these incidents have taken place on the International Border in Jammu guarded by BSF.A total of 12 Indian soldiers were killed through 2013 by Pakistan forces . This year there has been only one casualty — of a BSF jawan — due to sniper firing a month ago.“Ever since mid-August ceasefire violations , we have gone on complete offensive, firing both guns and area weapons. We are thrice in strength of Pakistan Rangers and thus have as many weapons. This has resulted in heavy casualties on the other side even though Pakistan Rangers are being supported by their Army. We will continue to retaliate fiercely until Pakistan stops firing,” said a senior BSF officer.BSF sources said Islamabad has also deployed Pakistan Army’s 12 Mujahideen Battallion in Charwa sector to help Pakistan Rangers.At a meeting held at home ministry with minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval and BSF DG DK Pathak among others discussed the issue of escalating tension on the Indo-Pak border. Sources said government is fully backing all action taken by BSF and asked it to ensure safety of civilians in border areas. Pathak said, “We are giving befitting reply to ceasefire violations from Pakistan. At the same time we are trying not to hit civilian areas in Pakistan.”The force has been forcing villagers in border areas out of the range of Pakistan bullets and shells during the night. “We are making them sleep in schools and other government buildings away from their homes. During the day they return to their daily chores in their villages as most of the firing takes place at night,” said a BSF officer.The August offensive of 2013 had begun after Pakistan forces had killed five Indian soldiers patrolling the border. The killing had followed the January beheading of an Indian armyman leading to nationwide outrage. Forces of the two countries exchanged bullets for the whole month before an understanding was reached in September.