Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 5: With ceasefire being maintained on Line of Control (LoC) as well as International Border (IB), Indo-Pak troops exchanged sweets on the occasion of Diwali festival yesterday across all major meeting points in Jammu and Kashmir.
Gates at Chakkan-Da-Bagh LoC point on Poonch-Rawalakote route were opened for half an hour yesterday morning during which the Army officers and jawans of India and Pakistan exchanged sweets, fruits and other gifts to mark Diwali festival.
The officers and soldiers of the two armies were together for nearly half an hour before dispersing.
Poonch-Rawalakote route was a famous cross-LoC trade point till India ordered suspension of the trade following its misuse by Pakistan army and militants for pumping hawala money into Jammu and Kashmir to sustain militancy. Click here to watch video
Besides Poonch-Rawalakote route, the Indo-Pak troops also exchanged sweets at Tatta Paani cross-LoC point in Mendhar and many other places on the LoC meant for meetings between the Army personnel of two neighbours for such occasions.
Exchange of sweets between Army personnel of India and Pakistan also took place at many points on the LoC in Kashmir valley.
“On the occasion of Diwali and as a gesture for promoting peace, harmony and compassion in the true spirit of the festival, Indian and Pakistani Armies held a flag meeting and exchanged sweets at Kaman Aman Setu, Uri and Tithwal crossing on Kishanganga river in Tangdhar in Kupwara district,” a Defence spokesman said in Srinagar.
He added that the events have been held when both the armies have been strictly following the ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control.
Besides Army, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani Rangers also exchanged sweets and greetings on the occasion of Diwali festival at many places on the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.
“On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, the BSF’s Jammu troops offered sweets to Pakistani Rangers at various Border Out Posts (BOPs) in Samba, Arnia, RS Pura, Nikowal and Akhnoor areas yesterday,” a BSF spokesman said.
As a reciprocal gesture, the Pakistani Rangers too offered sweets to the BSF, he added.
Indian and Pakistani troops have revived exchange of sweets and greeting on the occasions of National Days and festivals of the two countries along Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Pakistan after renewed ceasefire agreement came into force between the two countries on February 27 this year.
Though there has been no major ceasefire violation on LoC and IB after fresh agreement between the Armies of two nations , there have been reports of infiltration attempts by the militants from the LoC.
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