Ceasefire violations: India-Pak to hold flag meet

No headway in talks

28/08/2014

NIKOWAL BOP (AKHNOOR): Border forces of India and Pakistan today met for the first time since the recent spate of ceasefire violations but failed to agree on anything substantive in the 45-minute meeting.
The meeting between BSF and Pakistan Rangers was held to defuse tension on the border but no issues relating to escalating ceasefire violations were discussed, officials said.
Pakistan has requested for a Sector Commander or higher level flag meeting to resolve the issue regarding firing and shelling and ease tension, they said.
According to BSF, firing by Pakistani forces along International Border (IB) in the past 45 days was possibly the “heaviest” since the 1971 war.
Commandant of 33 Battalion of BSF S K Singh led the Indian side while Mohammad Waqar, Wing Commander of 19 Desert Rangers, headed the Pakistani team at the meeting today.
Inspector General of BSF R K Sharma told reporters that in today’s meeting, it was decided that talks should continue.
“No issues relating to ceasefire were discussed in today’s meeting,” he said, adding the level of next flag meeting to be held and the venue were taken up.
“Both sides will take up the proposal and finalise the issues in the next two to three days,” the IG said.
On today’s meeting, he said, “Pakistan had invited us for the meeting and we responded quickly,” he said, adding, “Our stand is clear. We want peace to prevail along the border. Whenever Pakistan has requested us, we have responded positively.”
Two civilians were killed 17 others including 4 BSF jawans were injured in firing and shelling by Pakistani troops in the past two months.
India had yesterday lodged a protest with Pakistan over escalating border ceasefire violations. The protest was lodged during telephonic talks between the DGMOs (Director General Military Operations) of the two countries.
Pakistani officials today sought Sector Commander Level flag meeting between India and Pakistan during a meeting held in Pargwal Sector of Akhnoor here.
“A commandant level meeting was held this evening between India and Pakistan in Pargwal Sector of Akhnoor,” official sources here said.
They said that the Border Security Force (BSF) side was led by Commandant 33 Battalion B K Singh while from Pakistan Commandant Mohammad Waqar of 19 Desert led his side.
“The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and both the sides discussed restoration of peace and other bordering issues,” sources added.
They said that Pakistan stressed for peace on the international border in the interest of the farmers community residing in the bordering hamlets.
Sources further said that the Pakistan has sought Sector Commander Level meeting to further resolve the border crisis more amicably.
Meanwhile, an informal meeting was also held between India and Pakistan of Company Commander level at Ballard Post in Ramgarh Sector of Samba district this afternoon, sources added.
India-Pakistan flag meeting was held against the backdrop of Director General Military Operations (DGMOs) level talks held yesterday in Delhi.
Director General BSF D K Pathak yesterday during his visit to RS Pura had said that it was the heaviest firing from across the border since 1971 war and lasted for long 45 days.

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