The Brigade Commander-level Flag Meeting was held at Chakan-da-Bagh LoC crossing point in Poonch at 1130 hours, SN Acharya, PRO Defence, said.
The representatives of the two nations addressed a host of issues such as the ongoing ceasefire violations, targeting of civilians and sniping action along the LoC, the PRO said.
“Both the sides have understood the importance of exercising restraint and have decided to take steps to defuse the situation,” he said.
The meeting lasted for about an hour and the Indian side was represented by Brigadier HS Sareen while the Pakistani side was led by Brigadier Osman.
This is the first Flag Meeting held at the level of Brigadiers after nearly 20 days of heavy firing and shelling of 120 mm, 82, 61 mm mortar bombs, RPGs and automatic weapons by Pakistani troops in Poonch district along the LoC.
Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire 25 times in September this year, shelling Indian civilian and military positions using 120 mm, 82 mm mortars, Rocket Projectile Grenades (RPGs) and automatic weapons, according to Indian officials.
On Sunday last, BSF officer ASI Sohan was killed in shelling when Pakistan targeted their post in Manjakotr sector along LoC in Rajouri district.
The last Brigade <g data-gr-id="23">Commander level</g> meeting was held on September 4 last year after the LoC saw 45-days of heaviest firing by Pakistani troops since 1971.
<g data-gr-id="72">India</g> not <g data-gr-id="71">expansionist,</g> wants better ties with neighbours: Rajnath
Asserting that India does not have expansionist ambitions, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said it has always endeavoured to have better ties with neighbours particularly Pakistan and China and all issues including border disputes and terrorism can be resolved through talks. Singh, who started his three-day visit to forward areas along the borders with Pakistan and China, said India “only wants to defend its borders” and infiltration and transgressions from across the frontiers should stop. He said India was ready to take <g data-gr-id="66">lead</g> to <g data-gr-id="65">improve</g> ties with neighbours but would not compromise on honour and dignity.
“We want better relationships with China and Pakistan. Peace cannot prevail in Asia and the continent cannot prosper on the path of development” till India’s relations with them improve, Singh said while addressing ITBP troops, who guard India’s border with China, at a function. “Whether it is a question of border disputes or issues of terrorism, I feel all the issues can be resolved through talks,” he said, adding, “India is a peace loving country. We only want to defend our borders.” “India has never been an expansionist country. Neither we have been expansionist nor we will be in future. “Why I am saying this with full determination because India is the only country in the world where saints and sages have not only considered people living within the borders as its citizens, but also the other people living in the world,” he said.