India, Pakistan troops to maintain calm on border

India and Pakistan on Tuesday agreed to end skirmishes and observe calm in the Sialkot sector of the international border so that farmers from both sides can harvest their crops.

The agreement was reached during a flag meeting between commanders of the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers.

The BSF lodged a strong protest against frequent ceasefire violations from across the border.

“Now the farmers can harvest their paddy crops till the border line without any fear as it was decided to observe calm. The meeting passed in conducive atmosphere and there were some very good decisions taken at the meeting,” DIG (BSF) J C Singla said after the meeting held at a border outpost along the border in R S Pura.

A Pakistani security official  said in Islamabad that the two sides agreed to respect the ceasefire agreement of 2003 and not to use force against each other. He refused to give more details about the meeting.

Singla said the BSF lodged a protest with Pakistani officials over ceasefire violations, shelling in civilian areas and sniping incidents.

Both sides will monitor the international border and “we will ensure that peace prevails”, Singla said. This was the first successful attempt at holding a flag meeting of border commanders after similar efforts failed on October 18 and October 20.

The flag meeting began at 11:30 am and continued for three and a half hours. A brigadier from the Rangers led the Pakistani side.