Troops meet at various cross-LoC points
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, May 13: For the first time since Pulwama terror attack, the Armies of India and Pakistan today exchanged sweets at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Exchange of sweets assumed significance as it comes nearly two and half months after fresh ceasefire agreement reached between the Armies of India and Pakistan. Since Pulwama terror attack followed by the Indian air raids at Khyber Pakhtunkhawa in Pakistan in which several militants were killed, Indo-Pak troops had stopped exchanging sweets and greeting on both LoC as well as International Border (IB) on major festivals and National Days of the two countries.
“Resumption of greetings on Eid festival is being seen as significant progress in maintenance of peace between the two Armies,” sources said.
An official said in Jammu: “Indian and Pakistan army exchanged sweets on the occasion of Eid today at Chakan Da Bagh crossing point and Mendhar-Hot Spring crossing along the LoC in Poonch.”
They said the sweets and compliments were exchanged by both the Armies in an atmosphere of bonhomie and festivities in wake of the newly achieved calm along the LoC as a result of renewed ceasefire which has brought warmth between the two neighbours.
The gesture was appreciated by both the Armies and expected to promote goodwill and mutual trust, they said.
The exchange of sweets and pleasantries was conducted with full adherence to all COVID protocols by both sides, they said.
However, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani Rangers didn’t exchange sweets along the International Border in Jammu.
A senior official said the exchange of sweets and greetings between the BSF and Rangers didn’t take place due to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the tradition of exchanging sweets between India and Pakistan on major festivals like Eid, Holi, Diwali and respective National days was revived and meetings were held at the Tithwal crossing on Kishanganga River in Tangdhar, Kupwara and Kaman Aman Setu in Uri in Kashmir to exchange sweets and pleasantries, a spokesperson said in Srinagar.
“Exchange of inadvertently crossed over youths on three occasions in the last two months at the zero line in Tithwal bode well for the future,” the spokesperson said.
The exchange of sweets and pleasantries was conducted with full adherence to all COVID protocols by both sides, they said.
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