India, Pak to follow tenets of 2003 ceasefire agreement: Army
23 Sept 2015 6:57 AM IST
“Various mechanisms will be set in place for maintaining peace and tranquility (along LoC in J&K). Both sides have agreed to continue this process further so that the LoC can remain tranquil and we (India and Pak) follow the tenets of 2003 ceasefire (agreement),” General Officer Commanding (GoC) 16 corps Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar said, while replying to a volley of questions on the outcome of Monday’s brigade commander’s Flag Meeting in Poonch.
The GoC maintained that both sides have expressed concern over the safety and security of civilians, who ‘inadvertently’ become <g data-gr-id="43">target</g> of firing and shelling from both sides. “Yes, there should be <g data-gr-id="41">concern</g> for the people on both the sides. There was <g data-gr-id="40">concern</g> on both the sides (expressed by officers of Pakistan and India at on Monday’s flag meeting). And this concern was the main reason that both sides went for the negotiations,” Nimbhorkar said.
He said the main aim of the flag meeting was to sit together and resolve the issues (ceasefire violations), which are happening between the two sides.
“We didn’t go (to flag meeting) with the aim of conveying any strong message. Basically, it is to sort out the differences for the conceptions or misconceptions, which are happening. Therefore, we had a Flag Meeting on Monday, which was in a cordial manner,” he said.
On the outcome of talks, he said it was good and in the interest of both the sides. “Our aim is to maintain peace and tranquility and that civilians on both the sides should not suffer,” he added.
As far as the modus operandi of various terror outfits are concerned, it is well known, he said, adding: “We have to make sure that peace and tranquility <g data-gr-id="50">is</g> given a chance and we should work towards that.” When asked if Pakistan should be trusted on the commitments it made during Monday’s dialogue at the Flag Meeting, the GoC said: “I see no reason why they should not keep it as I have already said that the meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere. There was no hostility and there was a very practical methodology. Issues were put up. I don’t think that this will not work.”
Replying to another question on whether India put forth its concern over the Pakistani side sponsoring terrorism in J&K and giving cover to the infiltrators, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said: “See, there is varying perception on different issues. We try and avoid such issues.”
Lashkar militant killed in encounter
A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant was on Monday killed in an encounter with security forces in a village about 35 <g data-gr-id="76">kms</g> from here in Pulwama district.Jehangir Ahmad Ganie, who had reportedly joined the LeT recently, was killed in a brief exchange of fire at village <g data-gr-id="77">Kawini</g> this evening, a police officer said. He said the encounter took place when security forces launched a search and cordon operation following specific information about <g data-gr-id="79">presence</g> of militants in the village. Hiding militants lobbed a grenade and fired on the search party, forcing retaliation, the officer said. Afer a brief gunbattle, the body of Ganie, a resident of Koil village, was found at the scene, the officer said. Two hand grenades were recovered from the possession of the deceased.
‘Around 1,150 militants training in Pak, PoK camps’
Up to 1150 militants are in about 17 training camps in Pakistan and parts of Kashmir under its occupation and about 325 ultras are at launch pads along the Line of Control (LoC) waiting to sneak in, a top Army commander said on Monday. “As per our intelligence inputs, there are about 17 terrorist training camps in Pakistan and PoK put together. Out of that, nine are opposite the 15 Corps zone. Four each in Manshera which is in Pakistan and Muzaffarabad.
“Total strength of terrorists in these camps is anything between 1000 to 1150,” General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based 15 corps Lt Gen Satish Dua said. He said that there are 23 different launch pads on the other side closer to the LoC having <g data-gr-id="126">strength</g> of 315 to 325 militants waiting for <g data-gr-id="127">opportunity</g> to sneak in. There is a bulge in the militants in the launch pads because they are unable to get across, Gen Dua said.
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