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Pakistan, India to continue ceasefire
ISLAMABAD, August 8 : Pakistan and India have decided to continue ceasefire across the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region, Foreign Office spokesman Naeem Khan said.
Pakistan had announced unilateral ceasefire across the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region, in November 2002. India responded positively to Pakistan’s announcement.
“The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the ongoing ceasefire,” Khan quoted a joint statement issued simultaneously in Islamabad and New Delhi at the end of two-day talks on Conventional Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the Indian capital on Monday.
Pakistani and Indian forces had been routinely trading fire across the LoC, causing civilian casualties.
In 2002 the two countries were involved in a military standoff on their border and came dangerously close to a war following an attack on Indian parliament that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-backed militants.
The relations started thawing in April 2003 after Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee extended hand of friendship and Jamali warmly responded. Since then the two countries have restored full diplomatic ties and a bus service between Lahore and New Delhi.
Khan said that Pakistani and Indian officials decided to upgrade the existing hotline between the two Director General Military Operations via the submarine cable, by the end of September.
Dilip Sinha, Joint Secretary Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian side while Tariq Usman Hyder, Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Pakistan delegation.
Naeem Khan said that the talks between the two delegations were held in a constructive and cordial atmosphere and both sides exchanged views on their respective security concepts.
He said the two sides exchanged views on various proposals and agreed to implement the 1991 Agreement between the Pakistan and India on Air Space Violations in letter and spirit.
The two sides agreed on speedy return of inadvertent Line crossers, and to work out a comprehensive framework to that end.
“Both sides agreed not to develop any new posts and defence works along the LoC and would hold Flag Meetings, between local commanders, at Kargil, /Olding, Uri/Chakothi/, Naushera/ Sadabad and Jammu/ Sialkot Sectors in Kashmir.