India, Pakistan agree to cease cross border firing with immediate effect

IANS | New Delhi

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

India and Pakistan reviewed the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to strict observance of all agreements, and understandings, the Indian Army said on Thursday.

A joint statement was issued in New Delhi and Islamabad. It stated that the Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact.

"The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere," the statement said.

It further pointed out that in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGMOs agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence.

Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from midnight February 24 and February 25, 2021.

On Wednesday, Indian Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, while speaking at a webinar organised by the Vivekananda International Foundation, said that there is definitely a great improvement in the internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian Army Chief said that Pakistan is committed to the strategy of supporting terrorism in all its forms as terrorist launchpads continue to be operated and terrorists continue to be there on the other side of the LoC looking for an opportunity to cross over.

General Naravane expressed confidence that with continued engagement with Pakistan, there could be some sort of an understanding because unsettled borders and violence on the borders help no one.

"We always want peace and tranquillity in our border areas, whether it be the western front or the northern front and the Line of Actual Control. Or whether it is on the Indo-Myanmar border, we are always looking for peace and tranquillity and our role is to ensure that so as the rest of the nation can develop," he said.

Talking about terrorism, General Naravane said the winter months are always a little bit of a lull period when the passes are closed and snowfall is heavy. He said with the waning of winter, as the passes open and the onset of summer, the army is always prepared for a fresh influx from across the border.

"But having said all that, there is definitely a great improvement in the internal security situation in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. When I say that, I don't say that just based on the emotion but on various parameters you can judge the figures," General Naravane said.