India and Pakistan on Tuesday agreed to ensure that, henceforth, the ceasefire will not be violated by both the Armies. Amidst continuing ceasefire violations on the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistan, the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both the countries talked on the hotline on Tuesday also agreed to implement the Ceasefire Understanding of 2003 in letter and spirit forthwith.

The present round of talks came in the backdrop of Pakistan targeting hamlets for seven days last week in Jammu region killing at least seven civilians and three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. Moreover, Army posts in Uri also came under fire four days back as Pakistan provided covering fire to militants to infiltrate into Kashmir from across the LOC.

The LOC has seen more than 880 violations in the first four and half months of this year as compared to 850 for the entire last year.

Giving details of the talks, the Army said here the hotline was initiated by Pakistan at 6.00pm.

Both the DGMOs including Lt General AK Chauhan and Major Sahir Shamshad Mirza reviewed the prevailing situation along the LOC and IB. The Indian DGMO agreed with the proposal to undertake sincere measures to improve the existing situation to ensure peace and avoidance of hardships to the civilians along the border.

It was also mutually agreed that in case of any issue, restraint will be exercise and the matter will be resolved through utilization of hotline contacts and border flag meetings at local commanders’ level, officials said.

The tone and tenor of the official release from Islamabad was also more or less similar. It said a hotline contact was established between Pakistan and Indian DGMOs.

In fact, the content of the official release of both the countries was also the same. The two sides talk to each other on the hotline every week on Tuesday or Wednesday at the level of officers below the rank of DGMOs. The last talks at the DGMO level were held on April 27.

Pakistan generally violates ceasefire in Poonch and Rajouri region located in South of Pir Panjal mountain range to dominate the LoC and spread panic amongst people living close to the border.

As regards North Kashmir, the Indian Army posts are fired at by Pakistan to help the militants to sneak in. Infiltration will now pick up as the ingress routes are now open after snow melted and latest reports indicate at least 30 terrorists have manage to come in the last few weeks.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Wednesday, 30 May 2018 | PNS | New Delhi