Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 13: In an attempt to de-escalate tensions on the Line of Control (LoC) that had threatened to aggravate, the Brigade Commanders of India and Pakistan would meet at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district at 12.30 pm tomorrow to take up host of issues including frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army on the LoC with particular reference to January 8 intrusions by Pakistan Army in which two Indian soldiers were killed.
Even as the Indian Army was preparing for tomorrow’s flag meeting, Pakistani troops this evening opened heavy firing in majority of posts of Krishna Ghati sector creating panic among the people living in forward areas.
There were reports that two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, who were part of a group, which tried to infiltrate into this side under covering fire, were killed in firing of Pakistan Army on other side of the LoC.
Pakistan Army responded to Indian request for a Brigade Commander level flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh for tomorrow. The Army had on Friday spoke to Pakistan Army officials on hotline and proposed Brigade Commander level flag meeting to de-escalate tensions on the LoC.
After talks between the two Armies on hotline, the flag meeting was fixed for 12.30 pm at Chakan-Da-Bagh Zero Line in Poonch district, where Pakistan Army had refused to open gates on Thursday leading to suspension of cross-LoC trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route followed by weekly bus service.
Army spokesman Col RK Palta confirmed to the Excelsior that Brigade Commander level flag meeting would be held at Chakan-Da-Bagh at 12.30 pm tomorrow.
Official sources said the Indian side was likely to strongly protest intrusions by Pakistan Army in Mankot area of Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch on January 8 morning, killing of two Army jawans and mutilating their bodies. Pakistan Army had taken away head of Lance Naik Hem Raj and two service weapons of the jawans along with ammunition with them to Pakistan.
The Indian side would seek return of the remains of the martyred Lance Naik besides service weapons and ammunition during the meeting.
Worthwhile to mention here that family of Lance Naik Hem Raj, who was a resident of Sher Nagar, Mathura in Uttar Pradesh have demanded return of the remains of the jawan so that they could perform his rituals with all traditions.
The Indian side could also ask for an apology from Pakistan for such a barbaric act of killing the jawans taking away the head of one of them besides punishment to the Pakistani troops of 29 Balouch, who executed the most heinous, dirty and cruel act, which was clearly in contravention of United Nations Geneva convention.
It would also ask for ceasing frequent ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army and aiding militants in intrusions on the LoC especially in Krishna Ghati sector.
Amidst the talks of Brigade Commander level flag meeting tomorrow, Pakistan Army resorted to heavy firing on almost all Indian posts in Krishna Ghati sector at 6.45 pm. Intense firing was reported from Nangi, Kranti, Kirpan, Ghora, Chajja Man and Dogra posts.
Indian side retaliated to ensure that there was no infiltration attempt by the militants of Pakistan Army into this side under the covering fire.
Sources said Pakistan Army used heavy fire arms. Some mortars were also fired, they added and said intensity of firing came down after about one and a half hours.
Fresh firing by the Pakistani troops triggered a wave of panic among the villagers putting up in forward areas as sound of mortar and other heavy shell explosions was heard in forward villages of Mankot, Balnoi, Balakot and other areas falling close to Krishna Ghati sector.
Reports said a number of civilians, putting up in forward areas have already started repairing the bunkers, which they had used before November 2003 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.
While majority of people putting up in forward areas were in favour of peace between the two countries so that they don’t have to migrate once again, there were some others especially the ex-servicemen, who wanted that India should give an effective reply to Pakistan for killing two soldiers brutally on Tuesday.
Sources said Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) of cross-LoC trade and travel are also expected to come up for discussion during the flag meeting.
Pakistan had suspended cross-LoC trade and travel at Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch sector since Thursday and Friday respectively. The cross-LoC bus between Poonch and Rawlakote, which plies every Monday has also been suspended leaving 123 civilians of two parts of divided State stranded in each other’s territory.
Tomorrow’s Brigade Commander-level flag meeting is the second one in the last six months between the two sides.
A Brigade Commanders’ meeting was held at Chakan-Da-Bagh LoC point on June 23, 2012 following the killing of two Indian soldiers and injuries to four other jawans in ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops, besides closure of the cross- LoC trade and travel via Chakan-Da-Bagh.
The two jawans were killed and four others were injured in the firing by Pakistan troops between June 11 to June 16 in Poonch sector.
Generally, a Commander-level flag meeting is held to sort out the differences between the two sides.
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed 71 incidents of cross- border firing and ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak border in which seven persons, including four security personnel were killed and 15 others were injured last year.
There were 51 cases of cross-border firing and ceasefire violations in 2011 as compared to 44 cases registered in 2010 and 28 in 2009.
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