Jammu: India on Friday lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over ceasefire violations at brigadier-level flag meeting along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
"We have lodged a strong protest with Pakistan Army authorities over the ceasefire violations along LoC in Poonch at the brigadier-level flag meeting of the Indian and Pakistan today," a senior Army officer said.
The brigadier-level flag meeting between the two countries continued for an hour-and-a-half at Chakan-Da-Bagh forward post on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district.
Following a large number of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops on the LoC last year, the DGMOs of the two countries had met at Wagah near Amritsar after 14 years on December 24 last.
"Pak authorities denied ceasefire violations from their side as usual," the Army officer said, adding the meeting was held in a cordial and conducive atmosphere.
There were five officers in the flag meeting team from both sides headed by Brigade commanders. Commander of 10 Brigade, Brig Sanjay Thakaran represented India.
On January 13, Army troops foiled an infiltration bid along LoC in Krishnagati forward area in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Alert Army troops guarding the borderline challenged them and bid was foiled after exchange of fire.
Indian officials are reported to have told their counterparts not to allow infiltration of militants and Border Action Team (BAT) attacks, warning that troops guarding the border will give a befitting reply in case of any violation.
There have been 196 ceasefire violations along the LoC in
Jammu and Kashmir last year, the highest in last one decade.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on December 19, Defence Minister A K Antony said there were 93 ceasefire violations along the LoC by Pakistan in 2012. The numbers of ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 2011 were 51 and 44 in 2010.
"Both delegations were led by Brigadier level officers and discussed various issues related to the ceasefire agreement as well as the need to improve responsiveness of existing communication channels," the defence spokesperson said.
"The Indian Army`s concerns about the infiltration attempt in the Krishna Ghati Sector on 13 January, 2014 were conveyed in strong terms to the Pakistan delegation," he added.
"The meeting is another step forward in the confidence building measures agreed to by both sides during the DGMOs` level talk held at Wagah on 24 December 13," the spokesperson said.
