Jammu: The Director General of Border Security Force (BSF), D K Pathak, on Tuesday said that Lashkar-e-Taiba founder and mastermind of Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed could be a factor behind the presence of a large number of militants who are trying to infiltrate across the border.

"Since 31st night we have witnessed three to four attempts of infiltration. We are watching out and whenever we feel there is an infiltration we do the needful. However, it is very difficult for us to say anything conclusively. We do have some input about the presence of a large number of militants across the border, who could be trying to infiltrate. Hafiz Saeed could be a factor, but we cannot be sure. It is a very unfortunate situation," said Pathak.

He further said that India would not do anything to disturb peace along the border but would retaliate befittingly if the situation calls.

"Since December 31, firing has been going on from Pakistan's side. Last night too there was some firing, but it stopped later. We do not know the reason for provocation. We from our side will not do anything to disturb the peace on the border, but if anyone does disturb we will retaliate. Since they initiated the firing we have been retaliating," Pathak said.

"We have been mandated to protect the border and the population in the border area and that is what the BSF is doing and we are doing it befittingly," he added.

Earlier , the BSF paid homage to Constable Devinder Singh, who was martyred on Monday in firing from Pakistani side in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, Hafiz Saeed had been sighted at the Pakistan Rangers' border outpost (BOP) across Samba sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday night.

Hafiz Saeed was spotted at a time when the tensions between the two countries have mounted due to Pakistani gunfire across the border.

On Monday, there was an almost unceasing barrage of shelling by Pakistan at the International Border in the Samba and Arnia districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The unprovoked and unceasing firing led to thousands of villagers residing in those areas being evacuated. One Border Security Force jawan was also killed in the barrage.