India, Pakistan hold flag meeting to reduce border tension

New Delhi: Top commanders of the India and Pakistan armies held a crucial flag meeting at Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir aimed at reducing tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border on Monday.

According to reports, the army officials of the two sides met at the Chakan-da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch at 11.30 am.

Brig HS Sareen, commander of the 121 Brigade, led the Indian side while the Pakistani side was led by Brigade commander of Poonch-Rawalakote.

Earlier, Defence spokesperson Col SD Goswami said, "India and Pakistan will hold a flag meeting at brigade commander level at the Chakan-da-Bagh crossing point at LoC to address the issue of ceasefire violations.”

The field commanders will discuss modalities to defuse the tense situation, he said.

Ceasefire violations have escalated in the last few weeks, resulting in civilian casualties and collateral damage on both sides. Three civilians died along the international border near Jammu this month, while another six died in Poonch during August 15-16.

Last Sunday, BSF officer ASI Sohan was killed in shelling when Pakistan Rangers targeted his post in Rajouri district.

Army officials said Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire 23 times this month, targeting Indian civilian and military positions with 120 mm, 82 mm mortars, rocket projectile grenades and automatic weapons.

On Friday, Pakistan summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner to protest the death of three civilians in Nikial sector of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in alleged firing by India.

The tension on the borders has coincided with a sharp downturn in bilateral relations following the cancellation of talks between the national security advisers in August.