J&K: Indo-Pak armies agree to ceasefire on LoC from tonight
Both pro-India politicians and separatists welcome the surprise move
The Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Indian and Pakistani armies announced a surprise development on Thursday that they have begun observing a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir from midnight of February 24.
A joint statement from the armies of the two countries said that both held discussions 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,” it said.
The DGMOs also “agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence” in the interest of “achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders”.
“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 statement added.
The two sides further said that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be used to “resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding”.
Pro-India politicians welcome the move as Farooq Abdullah calls it first step towards peace
Pro-India political parties of all shades today welcomed the observance of ceasefire on LoC by the armies of India and Pakistan.
Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today welcomed the ceasefire on LoC in Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Member Parliament and National Conference patron, Dr Farooq Abdullah, while speaking to the media, said that this is the first step towards dialogue for peace in the region.
He said that they have always been advocating for a dialogue between the two countries for the region’s peace.
Expressing her views, former Chief Minster and President of People’s Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti also welcomed the move.
“A big & welcome development that India & Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire along the LoC. Dialogue is the only way forward if both countries want to stop the unending cycle of violence & bloodshed across the borders and J&K” she tweeted.
She also hoped that the cross-border trade between the two countries will also be resumed at an earliest.
The President of Jammu Kashmir Pradesh Committee (JKPCC), G A Mir said that there should be proper policy for long term peace.
“Due to ceasefire violation, we are suffering. Having Biryani in Pakistan without a policy between the two countries won’t bring peace in Kashmir. This is military level talk and it takes place at occasions. To have a long-term peace, the countries need to sort out their issues and have a proper roadmap. The Modi government has to make its policy clear,” he was quoted, as saying, by a local news agency.
The People’s Democratic Front chairperson, Hakeem Yaseen also welcomed the move and called it a good step towards peace.
“When in 2002, the LoC was burning but the dialogue then played a role to bring down the violence. There should again be resumption of dialogue to have peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir which will benefit the people,” he said in his statement.
On the other hand, senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minster Kavinder Gupta said all governments want good relations with their neighbours.
“We welcome ceasefire decision. We always wanted good relation with Pakistan,” he said.
APHC describes the Indo-Pak ceasefire pact as a move in the right direction
Welcoming India and Pakistan’s joint military statement about the ceasefire agreement, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) said that it is a move in the right direction, which will provide huge relief to the beleaguered people living under constant threat on the LoC.
“In the interest of mutually-beneficial and sustainable peace in the entire region, governments of India and Pakistan need to address the core concern of J&K in keeping with the aspirations of its people, which is the cause of conflict and violence in the region,” APHC said in its statement.
APHC further stated that talks are the only means to address this concern and they have always advocated for talks between the two neighbours and the people of Kashmir.
Other regional organizations that welcomed the initiative includes J&K Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian, Jammu Muslim Front among other parties and groups.
It is pertinent to mention that the development comes a day after when the Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan announced that India-Pakistan can resolve Kashmir issue through dialogue. He made this statement while on his maiden visit to Sri Lanka in presence of his counterpart PM Mahendra Rajprakash.
