EU, UNGA welcome India-Pakistan governments decision to follow ceasefire at LoC

In a tweet, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, Nabila Massrali said: "The EU welcomes the agreement between & to observe a strict ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir & to engage through the established mechanisms."

"An important step in the interest of regional peace & stability on which to further bilateral dialogue," she said.

United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir also appreciated the move and said: "I wholeheartedly welcome today's ceasefire agreement between #India and #Pakistan. Their stated commitment to achieve sustainable peace through addressing each other’s core issues and concerns sets an example for other countries and demonstrates #UNGA values."

Reviewing the prevailing situation along the Line of Control (LoC), the Armies of India and Pakistan have agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from midnight February 24-25.

Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of Indian Army  Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh and his Pakistani counterpart have held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact on Thursday.

“The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere,” a joint statement issued on Wednesday said.

“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 propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence,” the statement further said.

Both sides reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.

India and Pakistan signed a ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) in 2003, but the violation of the agreement has been frequent in recent years.

A Reuters report citing a source said the cessation was partly aimed at easing the troubles of the people living on both sides of the LoC who are frequently caught in the firing.

The surprise developent comes at a time whe India is engaged on the standoff with China in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) though there has been no decrease in coumter-terrorism activities by the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir.