India, Pakistan to follow tenets of 2003 ceasefire agreement: Army

Nagrota (J-K), Sep 22: Asserting that India and Pakistan Armies have expressed concern over the safety and security of civilians who become target of the fire from both sides, a senior Army officer today said both the sides have agreed to follow the tenets of 2003 ceasefire agreement in letter and spirit.

"Various mechanisms will be set in place for maintaining peace and tranquility (along LoC in J&K).

Both sides agreed to a lot of things and agreed to further continue this process so that the LoC can remain tranquil and we (India and Pak) follow the tenets of 2003 ceasefire (agreement)", General Officer Commanding (GoC) 16 corps Lt Gen R R Nimbhorkar told reporters on the sidelines of a function today.

He was replying to a volley of questions about the outcome of yesterday's brigade commander's Flag Meeting in Poonch. The GoC maintained that both sides expressed concern over the safety and security of the civilians who 'inadvertently' become target of firing and shelling from both sides. "Yes, there should be concern for the people of the country. There should be concern on both the sides.

Yes there was concern on both the sides (expressed by officers of Pakistan and India at yesterday's flag meeting). And this concern was the main reason that both sides went for the negotiations," Nimbhorkar said. Army officer said that the main aim of the flag meeting was to sit down together and resolve the issues (ceasefire violations), which are happening between the two sides.

"We didn't go (to flag meeting) with the aim of conveying any strong message. Basically, it is to sort out the differences for the conceptions or misconceptions which are happening. Therefore, we had a Flag Meeting yesterday which was in a cordial manner," he said.

On the outcome of talks, he said that it was good and in the interest of both the sides. "Our aim was basically to maintain peace and tranquility and along with this major thing was that the civilians on both the sides should not suffer. We also have casualties and they too have casualties in this firing, so these people should not suffer," he added.

"Our aim gets fulfilled if we maintain peace and tranquility," he added. As far as modus operandi of various terror outfits are concerned, it is well known, he said, adding, "We have to make sure that peace and tranquility is given a chance and we should work towards that."

PTI