Baramulla, May 01: With ceasefire along, Line of Control (LoC) completing two years, joyous wedding ceremony was held in the Churunada border town of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, marking the first celebration of its kind this year.
Although the relations between India and Pakistan are currently strained, both sides have taken measures to ensure strict compliance with the ceasefire, providing a great sense of relief to those living on both sides of the de facto border who had previously experienced frequent firing and destruction of homes.
Choudhary Lal Hussain, a local resident whose sister was married told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that relatives and neighbors came together to celebrate the wedding, an event that had been previously disrupted by cross-border shelling between the two armies.
Expressing gratitude towards his loved ones for attending the ceremony, he remarked that the peaceful situation in the area over the past two years had made such gatherings possible.
Gulam Rasool, another local said that the wedding was a lively affair, with women singing traditional songs and men playing drums with great enthusiasm.
“Such celebratory events are only possible in an atmosphere of peace and stability, and we hope and pray that such conditions continue at the borders so that people in border areas can live their lives with a sense of safety and comfort,” he said.
Mohammad Amin, another elderly local expressed his joy at the newfound ability to hold celebratory events in his village.
He remarked that in the past, the fear of shelling made it difficult to even hold funeral ceremonies in their homes, let alone weddings. However, he expressed relief that the situation has now improved significantly.
“Before, we used to worry about whether we would be able to hold a wedding or not because of the constant threat of shelling and violence. But now, with the ceasefire in place and a peaceful atmosphere prevailing, we can hold our ceremonies with joy and celebration. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to carry on our cultural traditions without the constant fear of shelling,” he said.
Last year, approximately 250 weddings took place in the border villages of Kashmir, evoking memories of past times when celebrations were held in the comfort of one’s own home rather than being relocated to safer areas outside the villages—(KNO)
Street battles and gunfire threaten what remains of a fragile ceasefire in Sudan, now hanging by a thread despite a three-day extension of the truce agreement as a Turkish evacuation plane was shot at as it attempted to land.
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, claimed the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces had shot at the plane as it landed at the Wadi Seidna airbase, 12.5 miles (20km) north of Khartoum on the western bank of the Nile. The SAF said the attack had wounded a crew member and damaged the plane’s fuel supply.
The RSF denied its forces had attacked the Turkish military plane and instead blamed the SAF, claiming it wanted to “sabotage our relations” with allies. “It is not true that we targeted any aircraft in the sky of Wadi Seidna in Omdurman, which is an area not under the control of our forces, and we do not have any forces in its proximity,” it said.
Why violence has broken out in Sudan – video explainer
Amid questions about whether three more Turkish flights scheduled to evacuate citizens from Sudan would be able to land, or whether the fourth plane would leave the airfield, Turkey’s defence ministry confirmed the incident without attributing blame.
“Light weapons fired on our C-130 evacuation plane,” it said, adding that the plane had landed safely. “Although there are no injuries to our personnel, necessary checks will be carried out on the aircraft.”
The British ambassador to Sudan and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had instructed British nationals wishing to leave the country to travel to the evacuation centre at Wadi Seidna airbase as soon as possible, amid growing criticism that the FCDO was doing little to help doctors and others with British residency stranded in Sudan or neighbouring countries with their families.
Plumes of smoke rise in Bahri during clashes. Photograph: Video obtained by Reuters
Fighting between the two warring generals who head the SAF and RSF has overtaken the capital, Khartoum, and much of its sister city, Omdurman, amid increasing reports of violence in West Darfur province next to the border with Chad and fears that the street battles and looting that have plagued Khartoum could take hold across Sudan.
Clouds of thick smoke rose above two areas of Bahri, northern Khartoum, on Friday as locals reported hearing sounds of gunfire. The Sudanese army, the SAF, has used airstrikes with jets or drones to strike RSF forces that have fanned out through residential neighbourhoods in Sudan’s sprawling capital. Civilians have been left to shelter in their homes, often without easy access to food, water, fuel or electricity.
“The situation this morning is very scary. We hear the sounds of planes and explosions. We don’t know when this hell will end,” Mahasin al-Awad, a Bahri resident, told Reuters. “We’re in a constant state of fear for ourselves and our children.”
Fierce battles and airstrikes have caused mass displacement, with thousands of Sudanese and foreign nationals fleeing the capital for Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast or to the borders with neighbouring countries.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said an estimated 20,000 people, primarily Chadian and Sudanese nationals, had crossed Sudan’s border into Chad since fighting began almost two weeks ago. The UN refugee agency estimated that up to 100,000 people may seek refuge in Chad in the coming weeks from Sudan, as well as a further 170,000 people fleeing to South Sudan.
The non-governmental organisation Care says most of those arriving in the Sudan-Chad border region are women and children. More than 42,000 people are sheltering in the open or in huts carrying just a few essential belongings or in some cases nothing at all due to the stress of their flight from their homes.
‘We’re just lucky’: Sudan evacuees reach safety – video
Aid groups in Chad also highlighted concerns that the influx of refugees had come as they were trying to prepare for the lean season between harvests, increasing food insecurity for millions, as well as heavy rains that could block vital food aid to thousands of stranded refugees.
“It’s a perfect storm,” said Pierre Honnorat, who leads the World Food Programme in Chad. “The lean season coming in June. And the rainy season that will cut off all those regions.”
Sudan was already hosting an estimated 1.3 million migrants, including some who had fled violence in surrounding regions, particularly Ethiopia’s northern state of Tigray. Many now risk further displacement or being unable to escape violence owing to fears of political persecution in other surrounding countries.
According to the IOM, at least 1,000 people have crossed into Ethiopia each day this week, and more are expected to arrive. Most are Turkish and Ethiopian nationals, as well as groups of Sudanese and Somali citizens. Almost 15% of arrivals in Ethiopia are minors, it says.
Sudanese refugees queue to receive supplements from the World Food Programme in the border town of Adre, Chad. Photograph: Mahamat Ramadane/Reuters
This increased pressure on surrounding countries has prompted regional leaders to bolster efforts to press on the warring generals to restore what remains of the fraying ceasefire.
The Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, said he had held phone discussions with Burhan of the SAF and Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, of the RSF, to discuss “the need to settle differences amicably and bring stability to Sudan”, adding: “The great people of Sudan deserve peace.”
Countries from the African Union and the UN, as well as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and the US, welcomed the ceasefire extension and called for “its full implementation”. The groups hailed both parties’ readiness “to engage in dialogue towards establishing a more durable cessation of hostilities and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access”.
The generals’ willingness to cease fighting and prepare for dialogue did not appear evident on the ground, where battles have left at least 460 people dead. Shortly before the ceasefire renewal, the World Health Organization condemned what it said were increasing attacks on healthcare personnel, hospitals and ambulances across Sudan. The attacks had left at least three dead and two injured, it added.
The WHO said 16 hospitals, including nine in Khartoum, were “reportedly non-functional due to attacks”. A further 16 hospitals in Khartoum and Darfur states were close to being non-functional due to staff fatigue and lack of supplies, it added.
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( With inputs from : www.theguardian.com )
Islamabad: The Pakistan Army on Tuesday said the situation at the Line of Control (LoC) has remained “relatively peaceful” after the ceasefire agreement with India was restored in 2021.
In his first press conference since assuming office in December last year, Military Spokesman Major General Ahmed Sharif also talked about the latest threat of terrorism and other important issues facing the cash-strapped country.
“The situation at the LoC has remained relatively peaceful after the 2003 ceasefire agreement (was restored),” he said.
Pakistan had downgraded its diplomatic ties with India and severed trade links following New Delhi’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. In February 2021, the two sides restored a ceasefire agreement on the highly volatile LoC.
Maj Gen Sharif also alleged that India committed 56 LoC ceasefire violations in 2023, including three violations of airspace, 22 incidents of speculative firing, six ceasefire violations and 25 technical airspace violations.
The spokesperson also said that the army was prepared to deal with any threat.
He said that after taking office, Army chief General Asim Munir made his first visit to the LoC and sent a clear message that “Pakistan’s forces are prepared to defend every corner of the country”.
Sharif said that the Pakistan Army was battle-hardened and always led from the front by the officers.
Talking about the threat of terrorism, he said that terrorists had been trying to destroy peace on the western frontiers along Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces but the security forces were foiling their attempts.
“Pakistan’s forces have taken appreciable measures, tracked down terrorist networks and we continue to do so,” he said, adding that there was a nexus between the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch militant groups.
Sharing data, he said 436 terrorist attacks took place in the country during the ongoing year, which killed 293 people and injured another 521, while the forces conducted 8,269 intelligence-based operations in the current year and killed or arrested 1,525 terrorists.
“To rid the country of terrorism, more than 70 operations are conducted daily,” he said and added that there was no “no-go area” in Pakistan.
The spokesman also said that 137 security personnel had been killed and 117 injured in anti-terror operations this year.
He said that most of the work on the western border management fencing had been completed along a total of 3,141 kilometres of border with Afghanistan and Iran to curtail terrorist activity.
“Under border management, more than 98 per cent of work on the 2,611 km Pak-Afghan border has been completed, while more than 85 per cent of work on the Pak-Iran border has been completed,” he said.
Cairo: Countries in the Middle East have expressed concerns over the ongoing conflicts between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and called for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of differences through dialogue.
The fight erupted on Saturday morning in the capital Khartoum and adjoining cities. At least three civilians have been killed, according to the Sudan Doctors’ Committee. The RSF announced that they have taken control of key locations, including Khartoum Airport and the Merowe military base in northern Sudan.
The latest armed conflict in Sudan has raised concerns among Middle Eastern countries, including those in the Arab League, prompting them to condemn the ongoing armed conflicts and call for de-escalation, Xinhua news agency reported.
In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry conveyed deep concern about the violence in Sudan and called on Sudan’s military and political leaders to prioritise dialogue, restraint, and wisdom, and unite to complete the consensus that has been achieved, including the framework agreement.
The UAE also urged Sudan’s conflicting parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through dialogue. In a statement, the UAE Embassy in Khartoum expressed deep concern and reaffirmed the importance of de-escalation and finding a peaceful solution through dialogue. It also emphasised the need to support the political process in Sudan and achieve national consensus for the formation of a government.
Qatar, Libya and Jordan also joined in urging Sudan’s conflicting parties to immediately stop fighting and resolve their differences through dialogue.
On Saturday, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Saturday expressed his shock and condemnation of the armed fighting, especially during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
The Secretary-General also stressed the responsibility of the warring parties to preserve the security and safety of Sudanese civilians in the fighting areas and throughout the country, adding that the Arab League General Secretariat is ready to intervene with the warring parties to end the fight.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Armed Forces called for the maintenance of security and safety for Egyptian forces training in Sudan. In a statement, the Egyptian Army’s spokesman noted that joint Egyptian forces are present in Sudan for training purposes and are closely following the events. Coordination is underway with the concerned authorities to ensure the security of the Egyptian forces.
Iran also expressed concern about the developments and tensions in Sudan, inviting the conflicting sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.
Major disagreements have recently emerged between the Sudanese Army, led by Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by al-Burhan’s deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, especially over the RSF’s integration into the army, as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between the military and civilian leaders on December 5, 2022.
Sanaa: A Saudi delegation arrived in the Yemeni capital here to hold ceasefire talks with the Houthi militia, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported on Sunday.
The Saudi delegation arrived along with Omani officials to meet here with Mahdi al-Mashat, chairman of the Houthi’s political council, for discussion of arrangements to renew the ceasefire deal that ended in October 2022, said the report, Xinhua News Agency reported.
“The move came as part of Oman’s mediation efforts to bring peace to Yemen,” it said.
Oman, which borders both Yemen and Saudi Arabia, has actively engaged in brokering a truce in Yemen in coordination with the UN peace efforts.
Muhammad al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Yemeni Shura Council and a prominent leader in the Houthi group, told Xinhua that Muhammad Al Jaber, Saudi ambassador to Yemen, arrived on Saturday as the head of the Saudi delegation to Yemen’s capital.
Also on Saturday, the Houthi group said it had received 13 prisoners of war released by Saudi Arabia in exchange for a Saudi prisoner the group said it released earlier.
Peace efforts to end the war in Yemen have been increasing, particularly after recent Chinese efforts to ease tensions and restore diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The conflict in Yemen erupted in late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern cities and forced the Saudi-backed Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa.
The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the Yemeni government.
The war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 4 million, and pushed the country to the brink of starvation.
Guwahati: Assams militant outfit Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) on Saturday announced extension of unilateral ceasefire.
Juhthai, the chairman of the outfit, wrote to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informing DNLA’s decision to extend the ceasefire by another six months.
The letter said, “We hereby inform you that the Dimasa National Liberation Army has resolved to extend the ceasefire period by another six months, from April 2023 to September 30, 2023 for better peaceful environment, developmental talks and co-relation among us.”
On September 2021, the DNLA in response to Assam Chief Minister’s demand for peace had declared a unilateral ceasefire for a period of six months.
The declaration came precisely two weeks after the DNLA was accused of opening fire on a convoy of seven trucks on August 26 in the Dima Hasao district, killing five people and injuring one.
The DNLA was established in April 2019 to pursue Dimasa people’s sovereignty through an armed campaign. The Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, as well as some areas of the neighbouring Nagaland, are thought to be active DNLA hotspots.
SRINAGAR: During a ‘Veterans Sampark’ rally held in the outskirts of the city, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, the Northern Army Commander, stated that the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh with China has remained stable in terms of the current situation, while the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir continues. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC) of the Northern Command, which is based in Udhampur, added that discussions have taken place at various levels to maintain the Status Quo with China on the LAC.
“The ceasefire on the borders is ongoing,” said the Army Commander, who also reported that “our units have successfully thwarted some infiltration attempts.” Regarding the situation in the hinterland, he stated that “it is largely under control,” and that “our CI/CT Grid is fully functioning with civil administration” as they work to “completely halt such incidents.”
During a rally held to honour ex-servicemen, several commanding officers including the Army Commander, Colonel of JAK RIF and Ladakh Scouts, praised Major General Govardhan Singh Jamwal (Retd), Brig Gurmeet Singh Shan, Director Sainik Welfare Dept, J&K, Brig SK Goswami, Commander 92 Inf Bde, and Brig Rajesh Sharma, Commandant JAK RIF Regimental Center. They acknowledged the sacrifices made by these heroes and stated that “we owe a debt to the heroes of this country, which can never be repaid, but the nation will always express gratitude and respect towards them.”
The Army Commander spoke about the history of JAK RIF, mentioning that the regiment was established in 1820 under the leadership of Maharaja Gulab Singh and has participated in every war since then, displaying great valor and sacrifice. He also highlighted the bravery of the regiment in the Hussainiwala Operation of 4 JAK RIF and the role it played in conquering areas like Tibet, Gilgit, Yasin, Darel, Hunza, Nagar, Chilas, and Chitral under the leadership of General Zorawar Singh.
Lt Gen Dwivedi, who took over as the Colonel of the Regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Ladakh Scouts in February 2022, explained that the purpose of the rally was to provide support and assistance to ex-servicemen, war veterans, Veer Naris, and next of kins of fallen heroes from Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir belonging to the Regiment. He added that they aim to solve their problems related to pensions and provide medical help from experts.
Regarding the Agniveers, Lt Gen Dwivedi stated that he was sure that after being associated with the regiment, some of them would join in an unbreakable bond. The ‘Veterans Sampark Rally’ was attended by over 800 ex-servicemen, war veterans, Veer Naris, and next of kins of fallen heroes from Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir belonging to the Regiment. (KNO)
Jammu, Mar 21: Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi Tuesday said that the status quo is maintained with China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh while ceasefire continues on the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K.
Addressing a mega ‘Veterans Sampark’ rally in Digiana areas of city outskirts, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC) of Udhampur-based Northern Command, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the Status Quo is maintained with China on LAC amid talks at different levels.
On LoC, the Army Commander said that the ceasefire continues on the borders, adding, “There have been some infiltration attempts which have been successfully foiled by our units.”
“The situation in the hinterland is largely under control. Our CI/CT Grid is fully working with civil administration and efforts are on to stop such incidents completely,” he stated.
The commanding officers also praised the veteran heroes like Major General Govardhan Singh Jamwal, (Retd), Brig Gurmeet Singh Shan, Director Sainik Welfare Dept, J&K, Brig SK Goswami, Commander 92 Inf Bde, Brig Rajesh Sharma, Commandant JAK RIF Regimental Center stating that through this rally, India Army is honouring the ex-servicemen because of whom “we are free today.”
“We owe a debt to the heroes of this country, which can never be repaid, but the nation will always express gratitude and respect towards them,” army commander, who is also Colonel of JAK RIF and Ladakh Scouts.
“Our (JAK RIF) regiment was raised in Jammu in 1820 under the leadership of Maharaja Gulab Singh and hoisted its glory by conquering areas like Tibet, Gilgit, Yasin, Darel, Hunza, Nagar, Chilas and Chitral under the leadership of General Zorawar Singh. Our regiment has participated in every war since 1820 and has given a wonderful example of its valor and sacrifice,” he added.
“Recognizing our bravery in Hussainiwala Operation of 4 JAK RIF and our bravery in history, we were made an integral part of the Indian Army as the Jammu and Kashmir Regiment,” Lt Gen Dwivedi said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi, who took over the charge of Northern Command and Colonel of the Regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Ladakh Scouts on February 1, 2022, said, “the purpose of this rally is to reach out to the Ex-servicemen of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, their closest relatives and Veer Naris living in the nearest district of Jammu and surrounding areas, to solve their problems and anomalies related to pension and to get medical help from medical experts.”
On Agniveer, he said, “some of these Agniveers will go back to the society after completing their four years term and I am sure that after being associated with the regiment, they will also join the regiment in an unbreakable bond.”
More than 800 Ex-Servicemen, War Veterans, Veer Naris and Next of Kins of Fallen Heroes hailing from Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir belonging to the Regiment attended the ‘Veterans Sampark Rally’—(KNO)
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s borderland continues to be peaceful and tension free as the ceasefire between the rival armies entered the third year. There is no shelling from either side and life is near normal. Unlike past, people straddling the Line of Control are throwing big feasts on marriages, which are visible and noisy.
A sweets exchange between the two army officers from India and Pakistan on the bridge over Kishanganga in Teetwal. The sweets were exchanged on the the occasion of Eid on July 21, 2021.
The ceasefire is holding despite Islamabad and Delhi not seeing eye to eye and the diplomatic relationship continues to remain at the lowest ebb, ever. The two countries, however, continue to hit at each other in international forums, mostly on and around Kashmir. The security grid continues to maintain a strong counter-infiltration mechanism in place.
In the last two years, there were only three instances of breach of ceasefire and the officials insist they were of minor nature.
While the infiltration is by and large very difficult, the security grid is facing two different challenges. One is the use of drones in supplying arms and ammunition and another is the consistent supply of drugs. While the patches of the International Border falling in the Kathua and Jammu sector is usually in news for drone infiltrations, it is the Karnah (Tangdhar) sector of the LoC that is usually been as major source of drugs entry into Kashmir.
With the guns silent along the Line of Control (LoC), the residents who were earlier demanding bunkers and shelters to save from raining shells are now seeking better road and other basic infrastructure.
“The road stretches at Dardkote in Uri are dotted with potholes which speaks volumes about the tall claims of the government of improving road connectivity,” Faisal Khan, a Sarpanch in Uri, were quoted saying by a local news gatherer, KNO. “The road is dotted with huge potholes and has not been repaired for the last several years and the authorities concerned are least bothered about the sufferings of people. The road acts as an important link which connects several areas and thousands of commuters, transporters pass through potholes every day.”
The residents expressed concern over the condition of government schools. “Four classes are functioning in a single room at Dardkote,” they said, adding that similar conditions are in maximum government-based schools”.
Authorities, however, are not taking the bunker construction far granted. By the end of fiscal 2022-23, almost all the bunkers are expected to be ready. MHA is funding the construction of 14460 bunkers which includes 13029 Individual and 1431 community bunkers.
The bunker construction was not impacted by the February 25, 2021 ceasefire when the Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan announced the ceasefire after discussing it on hotline. The ceasefire was outcome of back-channel diplomacy between the two countries and took many months to happen. AK Doval, India’s National Security Adviser and Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed are reported to have held a secret meeting in the United Arab Emirates in 2020, which led to the February 25 joint statement from the rival armies agreeing to strict adherence to the 2003 ceasefire understanding. This actually was revival and renewal of the ceasefire that came into force on November 26, 2003.
Both sides maintained a ceasefire for the first three years. However, in 2006, the breaches started and continued expanded with the hot talks in Delhi and Islamabad.
In 2017, 12 civilians and 19 security personnel were killed in border shelling incidents. 2018 saw 2140 instances of ceasefire violations, which peaked to 3479 in 2019. In 2020, 46 people lost their lives in 5133 incidents of ceasefire violations.
On February 3, 2021, MHA told the parliament that in three years – 2018, 2019 and 2020, 72 security personnel and 70 civilians were killed in 10,752 cases of ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir on LoC and IB. In these incidents, 364 security personnel and 341 civilians survived with injuries.
Srinagar, Feb 25: On February 25, 2021, India and Pakistan army top brass renewed the ceasefire pact in a bid to ensure peace along the Line of Control (LoC). Two years on, the agreement between the two sides is being strictly adhered to paving way for the LoC residents to reap the peace dividends and to live a normal life after so many decades.
The ceasefire violations that otherwise had claimed many lives, left many handicapped, and damaged property worth crores, have come to almost zero since past two years as guns from the both sides have fallen silent.
It is the two years of reaffirmation of the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. “The ceasefire agreement has changed the lives. Hope this lasts…,” Muhammad Ashraf, a Sarpanch in Uri area of northern district of Baramulla, told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). “We are happy, so are our families, especially children. Farming activities, schooling, marriages, sports activities are going on peacefully and normally without any fear.”
Ashraf said that people in Uri visit their agriculture fields close to LoC without fear. “Two years have been peaceful years of our lives. The feeling is different and we are delighted and contended,” he said.
Sabir Khan, a resident of Garkote village, close to LoC in Uri, said that he and his family has borne the brunt of ceasefire violations. “I lost my wife and two children to the shelling. My brother lost his leg. There are many like us,” he said. “Hope this silence on LoC continues so that our children can see a peaceful life ahead.”
Youth in Uri are wearing a gentle smile. “It’s really good. We have participated in so many sports activities in past two years. Before that, our parents never allowed us to play in open,” said Zaid Rashid, class 8, student. “We can even go for trekking. This has now become our passion.”
On February 25, 2021, in a surprising development, when tensions were running high on both sides, the DGsMO of India and Pakistan issued a joint statement that read: “In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGsMO agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence. Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight February 24-25 Feb 2021.”
This was the first time since the 2003 ceasefire agreement that both countries agreed to adhere to the ceasefire. The decision came after the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. The speculations of many analysts suggested that the ceasefire won’t last long, but prevailing peace along the LoC has proved them wrong.
Residents of Karnah, Teetwal and Kupwara echoed similar story of peace, calm and happiness. “Shelling and exchange of fire damaged our houses, crops and took away our loved ones too,” said Atiqa, a resident of Karnah, adding that “We have tasted peace for the first time in past two years. We can venture out anytime without fear. Our children study and roam around freely. Guns have fallen silent since past two years, we hope this will remain so.” She said earlier, their demand was construction of underground bunkers but now the residents of border villages demand better roads, upgradation of health care infrastructure and better educational set up including colleges, and schools.
Defence officials said that both sides are strictly adhering to the ceasefire pact. “In 2021, there were zero violations and in year 2022 figure is almost same,” said an official—(KNO)
