Brigade Commander level flag meeting held between the Indian and Pakistani troops at zero line LoC in Poonch-Rawlakot sector has put and end to nearly week long Pakistani unprovoked firing on Indian posts in Poonch sector. It had retaliated in self defence, and to silence the Pakistani guns. The border firing brought the cross LoC trade to a halt. Some Pakistani traders have got held up on this side of the LoC because their stay permits have expired. Hopefully with the resumption of cease fire, cross border trade will also get resumed though Pakistani side has not given any indication to that effect as yet.
The most common reason for Pakistan to indulge in unprovoked firing is that they want to provide cover to the militants who intend to sneak into Indian side but are unable to do so owing to strict vigil by Indian troops. Although according to an agreement concluded in 2002 the two sides were committed to maintaining peace along the LoC as well as the international border, yet Pakistani troops have been violating the agreement and it is seventh time that cease fire has been violated. Obviously in the flag meetings, Pakistani side does not concede that it has been indulging in unprovoked firing and refutes Indian side’s allegations. Perhaps we shall have to put up with this sort of situation on the border for a long time. Indian armed forces in J&K have already identified sectors along the LoC frequently used by the militants for sneaking into Indian Territory. These have been effectively plugged and hence the increased frustration among the ISI handlers of Kashmir militants. Pakistani planners especially army commanders fully know that India is interested in peace prevailing in the entire region. This does not suit them because it makes them irrelevant to the people of Kashmir. Unprovoked firing does not help strengthen CBMs.
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