Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 14: After seven ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu sector and detection of a tunnel, which had been dug deep into the Indian territory in forward village of Chechwal in Samba sector, originating from Pakistan side, India and Pakistan Army officials today exchanged sweets at Chakan-Da-Bagh zero line in Poonch sector on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
The sweets would again be exchanged tomorrow morning at Chakan-Da-Bagh on LoC in Poonch and Octroi Post on the IB in RS Pura sector between the two Armies besides Rangers and BSF respectively to celebrate Independence Day of India, official sources said.
Pakistan Rangers had only the other day refused to hold a flag meeting with the Border Security Force (BSF) in Arnia sector after firing and ceasefire violation by the Rangers.
Pakistan Army officials Lt Col Javed Khan, Major Tanveer Ahmad and Major Umar Gul and Poonch Brigade Army officers Major S Manhas and Major S S Sehgal gathered at zero line at Chakan-Da-Bagh at 9.50 am today and exchanged sweets and fruits on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
The Army officers of the two countries were together for about half an hour during which the exchanged pleasantries. However, no official issue including the firing on three-four occasions at Krishna Ghati and Poonch sector during the past fortnight was discussed.
Both the sides decided to meet again tomorrow morning at the same place to celebrate India’s Independence Day.
However, no exchange of sweets took place on the IB today, sources said, adding that BSF officials and Rangers were expected to meet at Octroi Post in RS Pura sector tomorrow to celebrate India’s Independence Day. The BSF has reportedly given a nod for the joint meet at Octroi tomorrow.
Sources said the joint meetings between the Army officials of India and Pakistan on the LoC and Rangers-BSF at the IB could take place at some more posts tomorrow to beat the disharmony created in the aftermath of detection of tunnel and violation of ceasefire by Pakistan Army and Rangers.
Worthwhile to mention here that Pakistan had recently opened firing on Indian positions in violation of ceasefire thrice at Arnia, the latest one being yesterday, once at Pansar in Samba and three to four occasions in Krishna Ghati and Poonch sector. Three BSF jawans were injured in firing at Pansar (two) and Arnia (one).
On July 27, a tunnel dug deep into Indian territory (about 540 meters from the zero line) by the Pakistan authorities, was detected at Chechwal, Samba. The tunnel was aimed at pushing infiltrators and smuggling of narcotics.
Meanwhile, troops of Rashtriya Rifles, Samote under the aegis of Sector Headquarters, Budhal and police station Budhal recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition from Bambhiri in Kotranka area of Rajouri district.
Recoveries included one .303 rifle with empty magazines, 252 rounds of AK-47, eight unknown high explosive bombs, one unknown high explosive mortar bomb with plastic pins, 11 hand grenades, six grenades of Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), 16 grenades of Automatic Grenade Launcher, 17 electric detonators, two IED circuits, eight chargers for unknown high explosive rounds of Russian origin, one probable plastic explosive in plastic packing of 100 grams, one black box of six 10”x5”x2” (probably an IED).
The hideout from where the recoveries were made has been busted. It was located in inhospitable mountains of Pir Panjal amid thick forests.
The search operation was based on Intelligence inputs of Army’s sources.
Meanwhile, police today recovered a grenade shell in Kishtwar district.
The shell was found in Gudali Chowk in Kishtwar town this evening, DIG (Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range) Gareeb Dass said.
He said the grenade contained no explosive charge, adding “we are trying to ascertain where it came from. We have questioned some people.”
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