LAC ceasefire agreement between India, Pakistan: Residents in Uri Sector express happiness

“We are very happy that the Commanders from both sides have agreed to observe the ceasefire. Cross-border firings cause big problems in the lives of people living along the border. We used to face all kinds of troubles and difficulties. We are thankful to the government for this step. Now, we can live in peace,”  Abdul Razzak, a border resident, told ANI.

“I am a resident of Nabila. The ceasefire observance decision has brought great relief to all of us living along the border. Our children could not go to school earlier. We had to face difficulties in our daily life. I want to thank the government for the move,” Farid Khan, a local of Nabila, told the news agency.

Reviewing the prevailing situation along the Line of Control (LoC), the Armies of India and Pakistan have agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from midnight February 24-25.

Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of Indian Army  Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh and his Pakistani counterpart have held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact on Thursday.

“The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere,” a joint statement issued on Wednesday said.

“In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGsMO agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence,” the statement further said.

Both sides reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.

India and Pakistan signed a ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) in 2003, but the violation of the agreement has been frequent in recent years.

A Reuters report citing a source said the cessation was partly aimed at easing the troubles of the people living on both sides of the LoC who are frequently caught in the firing.

The surprise developent comes at a time whe India is engaged on the standoff with China in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) though there has been no decrease in coumter-terrorism activities by the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir.