Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 14: Troops of India and Pakistan exchanged sweets at various places on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu sector yesterday on the occasion of Diwali festival. No incident of firing was reported from any part of the border areas in Jammu region during last two days.
Official sources said Army officers of India and Pakistan gathered at cross-LoC point of Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district yesterday morning and exchanged sweets and fruits to celebrate Diwali festival.
Major Sushil Manhas and Major Santosh Kumar represented Indian side at Chakan-Da-Bagh while Major Fazal and Major Nawaz Ahmad came from Pakistan side along with other officials and jawans. Both the sides exchanged sweets and gifts and shared pleasantries for about half an hour after which the gates were again closed at Chakan-Da-Bagh.
Pakistan Army had offered to celebrate Diwali festival with Indian troops on hotline. Accordingly both sides gathered at Chakan-Da-Bagh and exchanged sweets and fruits. On the occasion of Eid festival few days back, Indo-Pak troops had exchanged sweets.
On the International Border, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Rangers exchanged sweets and fruits at various places in Jammu sector.
DIG BSF JS Oberoi said the main function was held at the request of the Rangers at Octroi Post in Suchetgarh sector of RS Pura tehsil.
“The BSF reciprocated and both sides exchanged sweets and fruits at the IB’’, Mr Oberoi said.
Sources said BSF Commandant Neeraj Dubey led the Indian side while Colonel Qaiser represented the Rangers. The exchange of sweets and fruits lasted more than half an hour.
Such functions were held at various other places on the IB at Company Commanders level, sources said.
They added that no incident of firing was reported from any part of the LoC and IB during Diwali festival or even today. During past few days, a number of incidents of firing and ceasefire violations have been reported from the LoC as well as IB, most of which were aimed at facilitating infiltration attempts of militants by Pakistan Army and Rangers.
All infiltration attempts were thwarted by Army and BSF at LoC and IB respectively this year, sources said.
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