Thaw in ties? India, Pakistan agree on "strict observance" of ceasefire at LoC

In a breakthrough development, India and Pakistan have agreed to lower the temperature at the line of control with "strict observance" of the 2003 ceasefire pact with both the militaries issuing a rare joint statement.

The joint statement read that "both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021."

The statement was issued after the Indian and Pakistani Director Generals of Military Operations or DGMO had held "hotline" talks in which both sides "reviewed" the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a "free, frank and cordial atmosphere."

The ceasefire at LoC has been only for namesake with firing happening on a daily basis, impacting civilians. The development will be beneficial for the region and the civilian population residing along the Line of Control. Largely, it is an attempt to bring down violence level at the LoC.

The statement read, "in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders" the two DGMO agreed to address "each other’s core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence." 

In fact, both have agreed to use the hotline mechanism, and border flag meetings as a mechanism to "resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding."

WION has learnt that no operation against terrorists and infiltrators will be stopped by the Indian army at the LoC and in the hinterland. 

Interestingly, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane had on Wednesday said, "with continuous engagement with Pakistan, we will be able to prevail over them and come to an understanding that violence at the border helps no one."

India and Pakistani ties since the 2019 Pulwama terror attack have gone downhill. The attack that killed over 40 Indian paramilitary men was perpetrated by Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed. After India removed special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, the situation had went down further with people to people contact being suspended by Islamabad.