India, Pak to hold flag meet today as ceasefire violation at LoC continues

New Delhi: The long awaited flag meeting between Indian and Pakistani commanders in the Poonch sector will take place on Monday afternoon. India had requested for the Brigadier-level flag meet in an attempt to ease the tension at the India-Pakistan border.

Both sides are likely to exchange notes detailing ceasefire violations by either side and formal protests will be lodged against the ceasefire violations. It is expected that after the meeting is over, firing will cease in the Poonch area at least for a while.

However, Pakistan is unlikely to give any commitment on ending infiltration, which is the main reason for the firing. The issue of resuming border trade from Chakan-da-Bagh is uncertain as there's no assurance from Pakistan on that yet.

Meanwhile, ahead of the flag meeting to defuse tension along Line of Control (LoC), Pakistani troops on Sunday evening violated the ceasefire again, targeting Indian posts in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier in the day, Pakistan agreed to hold a 'brigade commander' level flag meeting along the LoC in Poonch to discuss the recent intrusion and brutal killing of jawans besides continued ceasefire violations by its soldiers that have flared tension in the region.

Pakistan troops fired on the Indian posts in Nangitikri forward area along LoC in Poonch district around 4.30 pm, after heavy overnight firing in Krishnagati sub-sector in Poonch, a Army officer said. The overnight heavy exchange of fire came after a 48-hour lull on the LoC.

Pakistani posts opposite Nangitikri targeted the Indian side this evening and Indian troops guarding the borderline retaliated, he said. The exchange continued for a brief period before coming to a halt, he said, adding there was no loss of life or injury to anyone on the Indian side.

There was firing on five Indian posts - Kranti, Kripan, Gordha, Chajjaman and Dogra from Pakistan posts - Daku, Chooha, Roza and Battal. Mortars were fired intermittently from Pakistan side. The ceasefire violation was the fourth by Pakistan troops along Poonch sector after the killing of two jawans.

On the overnight firing, Defence Spokesman Col RK Palta said movement of six to seven persons was detected close to LoC opposite Krishnagati sub-sector in Poonch sector around 2145 hours on Saturday.

Pakistan had also called for a third-party probe into the killings of Indian soldiers, but India rejected the demand.

(With additional information from PTI)