SRINAGAR, June 19: Indian army has sought a flag meeting with Pakistan counterpart along the Line of Control, one of the world’s most heavily guarded borders, following killing of two soldiers in firing during ceasefire violations by Pakistan last week.
Four soldiers were also wounded when Pakistani troops fired at India positions several times last week in Pooch sector of south Kashmir.
The two armies agreed a cease-fire in Kashmir in 2003 and while it has been largely held, short exchanges of fire occur almost every week.
“We have sent a hotline message to Pakistan Army and called for a Brigade commander-level flag meeting to discuss the issues of increasing incidents of firing and ceasefire violations in Poonch sector”, a senior Army officer was quoted as saying by news agencies.
The message has been sent to Pakistani authorities yesterday and they were asked to convey the timings of the meeting within two days, he said.
“Usually, a commandant-level flag meeting is held on the LoC to sort out the differences, but this time we have called for Brigade Commander level meeting.”
The issue is serious in view of the fact that two jawans have been killed and four others injured in direct firing on them by Pakistan troops, unseen in the past, the senior official said.
Earlier, Pakistan had cancelled Commandant (Col) level meeting on Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch on June 16 without assigning any reason.
“In spite of this grossly provocative act from the Pakistan side, the Indian Army exercised restraint and asked the Pakistani Army, through the hotline channel, to investigate the matter,” a defence spokesman said.
The flag meeting between officials of the Indian Army and Pakistan Army, which was scheduled to be held at Chakan-Da-Bagh (CDB) at 1100 hours on June 16, was cancelled by Pakistan, without giving any fresh date for the same.
The trade via the Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point remains suspended, awaiting de-escalation of the situation in the Krishna Ghati Sector.
All Indian attempts towards de-escalation of the situation and the resumption of routine life for civilians in the area, have received a negative response, the latest being the cancellation of the flag meeting, he said.
