NEW DELHI: Not a single soldier or civilian has been killed in cross-border firing or shelling along the line of control since January 2022 due to the ongoing ceasefire with Pakistan, which has largely held since it was renewed in February 2021.
"Ever since the (Indian and Pakistani) director general of military operations understanding came into existence in February 2021, there have been just three incidents of ceasefire violations and no incident of shelling along the LoC. However, our troops remain prepared for all such eventualities," junior defence minister Ajay Bhatt told Lok Sabha in a written reply.
"Appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations, as required, has been carried out by security forces. In addition, all violations of ceasefire are taken up with Pakistan authorities at the appropriate level through the established mechanism of hotlines, flag meetings as well as weekly talks between the DGMOs of the two countries," he said.
Diplomatically, India has repeatedly emphasised at the highest level the need for Pakistan to uphold the sanctity of the LoC and the international border as its obligations emanating from the understanding in vogue, Bhatt said.
As reported by TOI, earlier attempts to honour the ceasefire pact of November 2003, like the pact reached between the two DGMOs in May 2018, have failed with escalation in cross-border hostilities beginning within a few months.
The fresh understanding between the two DGMOs in 2021 took place after a particularly violent 2020, with artillery and firing duels between the rival armies breaking all annual records in the last 18 years. India recorded as many as 5,133 ceasefire violations in 2020, the highest since 2003.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.
Start a Conversation
Post comment