Last flag meeting held in March 2021 for ceasefire implementation
Flag meeting held following recent skirmishes on LoC
Shyam Sood
Rajouri, February 21: Amid a recent surge in cross-border firing and an IED attack that resulted in the martyrdom of two soldiers and injuries to at least four others, the Indian and Pakistan armies held a flag meeting at the Chakan-Da-Bagh Cross LoC point in Poonch district on Friday morning.
Notably, this was likely the first flag meeting between the two armies since March 26, 2021, when a Brigade Commander-level discussion took place to implement the ceasefire agreement along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, which came into effect at midnight on February 24, 2021.
The Brigade Commander-level flag meeting, scheduled for February 21 at Chakan-Da-Bagh, aimed to de-escalate tensions along the LoC, where ceasefire violations have been reported since February 10.
According to sources, the meeting lasted approximately 75 minutes and was held in a cordial atmosphere. Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace along the border.
However, the Indian side strongly protested recent infiltration attempts facilitated by the Pakistan Army, unprovoked cross-border firing, and the smuggling of narcotics and weapons.
Recent Pakistan-sponsored activities along the LoC include:
February 8: Firing on an Indian patrolling party in the Keri-Rajouri sector.
February 10: Havildar Puran Singh injured in Kalal, Nowshera.
February 11: Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi and Naik Mukesh Kumar attained martyrdom in an IED blast in Laleali, Akhnoor.
February 12: Major infiltration bid foiled in the Tarkundi-Balakote sector, with the recovery of anti-tank mines and claymore/anti-personnel mines.
February 14 & 16: Two soldiers injured in cross-LoC firing.
The Pakistan Army’s increased ceasefire violations in Rajouri and Poonch districts appear to be an attempt to push terrorists into these areas, revive militancy, and disrupt the prevailing peace and stability.
The Indian Army has not come out with any official statement in this connection.
India-Pakistan holds flag meeting in Poonch to uphold 2021 ceasefire agreement
