Kashmiri parties welcome India-Pakistan truce agreement

On Friday, all Kashmiri parties came together to acknowledge the peace-building initiative between India and Pakistan. The parties celebrated the move, adding that the “new chapter of engagement between India and Pakistan will lead to peace in the sub-continent.” The truce agreement between the two was the result of series of discussions between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of both nations held over the hotline, wherein the military officials decided to achieve mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders. 

The neighboring nations agreed to a “strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and all other sectors”. The agreement would be enforced from midnight of February 24-25.

People’s Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti took to Twitter to laud the move, stating that it was, “a big & welcome development that India & Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire along the LoC.” She added, “Dialogue is the only way forward if both countries want to stop the unending cycle of violence & bloodshed across the borders and J&K.”

National Conference chief, Farooq Abdullah also commended the agreement between the warring nations, whose military officials mutually decided to observe a ceasefire alongside the border and LoC. He added that the move would make way for sustainable peace between the two nations. 

Kashmir’s former three-time chief minister said, “The agreement will go a long way in ushering long-lasting peace alongside LoC, and IB. It is the people of Jammu and Kashmir that have been facing the brunt of escalating tensions alongside the borders. I hope the agreement is followed in letter and spirit.” He emphasized that his party always worked towards achieving Indo-Pak peace.

“I hope the development won’t go down as short-lived flutter but increases the possibility of some forward advancement towards the resolution of all impending issues lingering between the two neighboring nations,” senior J&K leader told local media. “We welcome the agreement and hope that the statement will be followed in letter & spirit. JKNC has always been a strong supporter of the ceasefire along the LoC. This will allow people living along the LoC and IB to go about their normal lives with minimal disruption and risk,” NC spokesman Imran Nabi Dar added.

“Until now much of the life and property have been lost to the ceasefire violations in border areas, be it in Uri, Karnah, Nowshera, Poonch, Gurez or any other frontier areas of J&K. The continuous threat of shelling and firing has always created a perpetual atmosphere of fear and uncertainty,” said Raja Manzoor, a leader of Apni Party from frontier Kupwara. “It can be now expected that the inhabitants of border areas will return to their homes and live a normal life.” A resident from Uri’s Salamabad area told news18.com that they are excited to hear about the truce. “We hope the troops of the two countries live by this and hold on the fire. We want to lead a normal life,” he said.