JAMMU A day after the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan decided to ensure peace on the borders between the two countries, calm prevailed on Wednesday on both the international border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nearly 50,000 residents of border villages in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts had migrated out of their homes because of indiscriminate targeting of civilian and military facilities.
The ceasefire violations had also spread to the LoC in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla and Kupwara districts of the state after the violations continued on the international border for nearly a fortnight.
Reports from Pakistan also indicated that heavy losses in terms of military and civilian lives were suffered there in firing by the Indian troops.
Border residents on the Indian side of the international border were put up by local administration in makeshift camps set up in schools, Panchayats and community halls even when most of these migrants preferred to live with relatives in areas away from the border.
The decision of the DGMOs to hold fire has come as a glimmer of hope for farmers whose crops have started shedding grain for want of being harvested.
Children have not gone to schools for nearly a fortnight in these areas.
As calm returned to both the LoC and the international border on Wednesday, authorities have decided to watch the situation for a few days before they order re-opening of schools and shifting back of the migrants.
“Once bitten, twice shy. Let us keep our fingers crossed and hope that the ceasefire holds for thousands of residents on both sides of the border,” said Satpal, 49, a resident of R.S.Pura sector in Jammu district.
R.S.Pura sector suffered human losses, cattle heads and damages to homes and crops during the last fortnight.
Mehbooba Welcomes
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today welcomed the agreement by DGMOs of India and Pakistan to fully implement the ceasefire pact of 2003 and stop cross border firings, saying it would bring great relief to the people of the state.
The chief minister said having peace on the borders was the first essential step to a larger understanding and expressed hope that it would sustain.
Wholeheartedly welcome the reiteration of the commitment to the ceasefire on the border by both DGMO’s. This brings great relief to the people residing in the vicinity, Mehbooba wrote on Twitter.
Peace on our borders is the first essential step to a larger understanding & (and) I truly hope it sustains, she said.
Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan yesterday agreed to “fully implement” the ceasefire pact of 2003 in “letter and spirit” forthwith to stop cross border firings in Jammu and Kashmir.
The two military commanders reviewed the prevailing situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in J and K during a conversation over the hotline at 6 PM, the Indian Army said.
The special hotline contact was initiated by the Pakistani DGMO.
Following the conversation between Indian DGMO Lt Gen Anil Chauhan and Pakistan’s Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the two armies issued identical statements saying both sides agreed to fully implement the 15-year-old ceasefire understanding.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
