Pakistan, India agree to ‘strict observance’ of all agreements and ceasefire along the LoC
In a rare move, Pakistan and India military officials have agreed to restore ceasefire at the de facto border between the two countries, according to ISPR.
“The Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India have agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns, which have the propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence” the ISPR. statement said.
The two DGMOS held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact and reviewed the situation along Line of Control and all other sectors “in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere.”
Pakistan and India’s officials agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and ceasefire along the LoC and all other sectors, with effect from February 24, 2021, midnight.
Both sides reiterated that existing, mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilized to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.
FM Qureshi welcomes the development
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed the restoration of the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India and termed it an “important development”. The ceasefire agreement is one of the most significant bilateral confidence-building measures (CBMs) between Pakistan and India, he said.
He said that Pakistan has been drawing the attention of the international community towards the ceasefire violations that have claimed the lives of many innocent people. He urged India to strictly abide by the ceasefire.
Recent ceasefire violations
In 2021, the Indian occupation forces have carried out 175 ceasefire violations to date, resulting in serious injuries to eight innocent civilians. Indian forces have been continuously targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars, and automatic weapons along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB), according to Pakistan Foreign Office.
In 2020, the Indian forces have carried out 3,000 ceasefire violations to date, resulting in 27 deaths and serious injuries to 250 innocent civilians.
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