India, Pakistan agree to defuse situation along LoC after flag meeting in Poonch

Jammu: India and Pakistan on Monday agreed to exercise restraint and work for defusing the situation on Line of Control (LoC) which has been witnessing repeated ceasefire violations as senior Army officers of the two countries held a Flag Meeting in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. [caption id=“attachment_2441356” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] The Brigade Commander level Flag Meeting was held at Chakan-da-Bagh LoC crossing point in Poonch sector at 11.30 am, PRO Defence SN Acharya said. The representatives of the two nations addressed a host of issues regarding ongoing ceasefire violations, targeting of civilians and sniping action on the LoC, PRO said. “Both sides have understood the importance of exercising restraint and have decided to take steps to defuse the situation,” he said. The meeting lasted for about an hour and the Indian side was represented by Brigadier HS Sareen while the Pakistani side was led by Brigadier Osman. This is the first Flag Meeting held at the level of Brigadiers after nearly 20 days of heavy firing and shelling of 120 mm, 82, 61 mm mortar bombs, RPGs and automatic weapons by Pakistani troops in Poonch district along the LoC. Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire 25 times in September this year, shelling Indian civilian and military positions using 120 mm, 82 mm mortars, Rocket Projectile Grenades (RPGs) and automatic weapons, according to Indian officials. On Sunday last, BSF officer ASI Sohan was killed in shelling when Pakistan targeted their post in Manjakotr sector along LoC in Rajouri district. The last Brigade Commander level meeting was held on 4 September last year after the LoC saw 45-days of heaviest firing by Pakistani troops since 1971. “The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and issues regarding ongoing ceasefire violations, targeting of civilians and sniping action on Line of Control were discussed,” PRO said. “Both sides have mutually agreed to exercise restrained and take steps to defuse the situation,” he said. PTI