Indian, Pakistani troops hold flag meeting over ceasefire violations

Jammu: Indian and Pakistani troops Tuesday held a battalion commander-level flag meeting in Pooch to discuss ceasefire violations along the LoC and reaffirmed their faith in ensuring lasting peace and tranquility.

"A Battalion Commander-level flag meeting was held at Chakan Da Bagh along LoC in Poonch Sector at 1100 hours today to take forward the peace process initiated since the Brigade Commander level Flag Meeting of September 21, 2015," Officiating Defence Spokesperson SN Acharya said.

The two sides held discussions to address the situation arising out of the recent ceasefire violations in Poonch sector, Acharya said.

In the meeting which lasted nearly 30 minutes, the 'Colonel' ranked officers leading the two delegations acknowledged each other's efforts in maintaining peace and tranquility on the Line of Control in the recent past, he said.

"Both sides mutually agreed to the importance of exercising restraint on the Line of Control and keeping the communication alive through established reconciliation mechanism of exchange of hotline messages and flag meetings," Acharya said.

"The flag meeting ended on a positive note and both sides reaffirmed their faith in ensuring everlasting peace and tranquility on the Line of Control by redressing mutual concerns on priority in the future", he said.

The Pakistan Army today violated the ceasefire by opening fire in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, drawing retaliation from Indian troops.

As per reports Indian troops have also lodged a protest with Pakistani troops over ceasefire violations.

On April 9, the Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire agreement by firing and mortar shelling along LoC in Shahpur forward area in Poonch district.