India, Pak agree to exercise restraint along LoC

India and Pakistan held a flag meeting along the line of control (LoC) in the Poonch sector on Tuesday to discuss the recent incident of ceasefire violation. The defence spokesperson said both nations agreed to exercise restraint and keep channels of communication open.

India and Pakistan held a flag meeting along the line of control (LoC) in the Poonch sector on Tuesday to discuss the recent incident of ceasefire violation. The defence spokesperson said both nations agreed to exercise restraint and keep channels of communication open.

The spokesperson said the meeting was held to take forward the peace process, which was initiated at the brigadiers-level meeting held on September 21, 2015 (HT File Photo)

The spokesperson said the battalion commander-level 30-minute meeting was held at Chakan–Da–Bagh in the Poonch sector on Tuesday morning.

Pakistan had fired heavily on Saturday night along the LoC in the Poonch sector in which some buildings were damaged. It was the first incident of cease-fire violation during the last six months.

The spokesperson said the meeting was held to take forward the peace process, which was initiated at the brigadiers-level meeting held on September 21, 2015. There was no incident of firing after this meeting.

“The two sides held discussion over the incident and acknowledged each other’s efforts in maintaining peace and tranquility on the LoC in the recent past. The two sides agreed on the importance of exercising restraint,” said the army spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the two sides also agreed to keep the communication channel alive through hotline messages and flag meetings.

“Stress was also laid on the fact that farmers on the two sides of the LoC were beginning their agricultural activities after the winter months and all possible steps should be taken to ensure these activities on which livelihood of farmers depends remain unaffected,” the spokesperson added.