Ceasefire still on: Lt General Sekhon

Srinagar, Dec 16 (UNI) Offering no comment on the internal ceasefire, GOC 15 corps Lt General A S Sekhon said there was not a single firing incident on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir since November 2003.

Saying that announcing an internal ceasefire was a political decision which has to be taken by the political leadership of the country, Lt General Sekhon said the ceasefire announced by India and Pakistan in November 2003 on the LoC was still holding.

Talking to reporters here today, he said there was not a single violation from any side since the ceasefire.

He said the ceasefire on the borders has helped the people live a normal and peaceful life on either side. People living near the LoC are doing their normal work, children are going to schools and farming activities are taking place because of the ceasefire.

When asked if there was any proposal to announce an internal ceasefire, he offered no comments.

''It is a political decision which has to be taken by the political leadership of the country'', he said adding that there was a internal ceasefire for some time in 2000, indirectly referring to ceasefire by the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). The HM later withdraw the ceasefire demanding that Pakistan should also be included in the talks.

In reply to a question he said the Army will provide all assistance to the NGOs who wanted to work for the poor and needy people in the far flung and border areas.

UNI BAS LS HS1543