By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan
South Asian rivals, Pakistan and India, have agreed to cease border clashes that have killed almost two dozen people in the past two months.
The agreement was reached in a much-awaited meeting between border security chiefs of both countries in the Indian capital New Delhi on Thursday and Friday.
A statement issued by the Pakistani border security force, commonly known as the Rangers, on Saturday said India had agreed to “stop” violation of a 2003 cease-fire agreement “through enhanced communication via multiple modes at all possible levels to maintain peace”.
“The two sides also agreed to conduct joint investigations in case of serious incidents happening along the border in the future,” the statement said.
Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh also assured the Pakistani delegation led by Major General Umar Farooq Burki that his country would not fire the first bullet along the border.
The two sides also discussed issues relating to border smuggling and cross-border infiltration with India , agreeing to share information about cartels involved behind cross-border activities to help Pakistani Rangers in taking necessary actions.
“It was consensus decision to forget past and move forward”, It further said.
The current border clashes, which began in July, have mainly focused on the Line of Control which separates the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, which both countries partially hold.
Tensions between the two rival countries have been high since the cancellation of bilateral security talks last month and with both countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war, of which they both claimed victory.
Since the cancellation of the talks, ministers and military chiefs from both sides have repeatedly made aggressive comments about each country's preparedness for a war.
The talks were called off after India objected to Pakistan consulting with pro-independence leaders from Indian-held Kashmir and insisting the Kashmir dispute feature in the talks.
The two nuclear rivals have been locked in several disputes over land and sea boundaries since Pakistan was created at the end of British rule and the partition of India in 1947.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir.
