India and Pakistan pledge themselves to a ceasefire
By IAR Desk
After the disengagement between India and China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, it’s peace time on India’s western border.
India and Pakistan have announced a cease fire across the Line of Control (LoC) and other contested sectors. According to a joint statement released on February 25, “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 announcement was preceded by discussions between the Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan 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.
“Both sides reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding,” the joint statement said.
Earlier this month, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy had told parliament that a total of 10,752 cases of ceasefire violations had taken place along India’s border with Pakistan in the last three years, in which 72 security personnel and 70 civilians were killed. 364 security personnel and 341 civilians were injured in cross-border firings along the International Border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
