In a surprise development, Indian and Pakistani militaries announced on Thursday that they had begun observing a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir from the midnight of February 24. “Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021,” the statement added. “The main idea is to have peace along the LoC so that the local population doesn’t suffer,” said one of the people cited above. India and Pakistan had agreed along a ceasefire on the LoC in November 2003 but it has been frequently violated in recent years. Naravane, however, said terror launchpads were active across the LoC, and the army will be prepared for a fresh influx of infiltrators in the summer.

Source: Hindustan Times February 25, 2021 07:44 UTC