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In a significant development, Pakistan and India have agreed to strictly observe ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC). The rare move is a thaw in relations between the two countries which have plunged in recent years due to the belligerence of the Modi regime.
The director-generals military operation of both countries held a hotline contact and agreed to maintain ceasefire agreements and resolve other issues which can lead to violence. The ceasefire has been in place since 2013 but Indian forces have often resorted to violations leading to the loss of numerous innocent lives.
According to the Pakistan army, there have been13,500 ceasefire violations since 2003 which have claimed the lives of 310 citizens and injured 1,600. Last year in 2020, there have a staggering 2,900 ceasefire violations by Indian forces in which 33 civilians were martyred and 260 were injured along with loss to property.
Despite the hostile Indian forces, both sides should realize that dialogue is the only way forward to the peaceful resolution of all disputes including Kashmir. Prime Minister Imran Khan said that he had approached India immediately for dialogue after coming to power and remains optimistic that better sense will prevail but found no response from Modi.
The prime minister said that peace is vital to tackle poverty and improved relations for the development of the region. Both countries need to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than conflict but this can only happen when both sides mutually agree to sit together in a conducive environment. The ceasefire violation is an unnecessary conflict as Indian forces regularly target innocent civilians.
This is not the first time that India and Pakistan have agreed to maintain ceasefire along the border. There has also been hotline contact since 1987 but the agreement has been violated on numerous occasions and both sides have often again sparred over the border. Both sides should agree to abide by the agreement in letter and spirit before it further escalates.
The agreement comes just before the anniversary of the purported Balakot strike and the humbling Indian forces received in 2019 for violating territorial sovereignty. The observance of ceasefire agreement is a welcome development but India should not forget that the Pakistan army is prepared for any adventurism.
