Kashmir Parties Hail Border Truce Pact as India And Pakistan Agree to Observe Ceasefire The political parties in Jammu and Kashm...

Kashmir Parties Hail Border Truce Pact as India And Pakistan Agree to Observe Ceasefire

The political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have for the first time in the last 18 months — after removing Article 370 and ending the statehood — welcomed the agreement between India and Pakistan to work for truce on the otherwise volatile boundary. India and Pakistan agreed to a “strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and all other sectors” with effect from midnight of February 24-25.

What surprised many commentators in New Delhi and Islamabad was a rare and unexpected joint statement which said, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries held discussions over the established hotline and decided in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders. A statement said the two DGMOs have agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence.

The two sides reviewed the situation along the LoC and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere”, the statement said, adding that both sides reiterated that “existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding”.

Immediately as the news broke, Kashmir mainstream and separatist parties reacted with optimism and hoped that the “new chapter of engagement between India and Pakistan will lead to peace in the sub-continent.”