Indian, Pakistani armies agree to reduce tensions along LoC

Indian and Pakistani militaries Tuesday agreed to reduce tension along the Line of Control (LoC), dividing the Kashmir region between the two countries, even as India lodged a protest over frequent violations of ceasefire agreement.

The decision was reached following India and Pakistan's directors general of military operations (DGMOs) speaking to each other on hotline earlier in the day, Dawn reported.

"Both sides mutually agreed to reduce tension along the Line of Control and working boundary," a statement of Pakistani army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in Islamabad.

During the conversation, both sides discussed the prevailing situation along LoC and agreed to share certain information with a view to ensure peace in the coming days, sources said.

Meanwhile, India Tuesday lodged a protest with Pakistan over its frequent violations of the bilateral ceasefire agreement, army officials in New Delhi said.

During telephonic talks held at the level of DGMOs, the two sides also agreed to hold a flag meeting.

Officials said India raised the issue of frequent violations of the 2003 bilateral ceasefire agreement and lodged a protest over the issue.

"The two sides agreed to hold a flag meeting at the field level," an official said.

There have been 95 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control and it has also breached the ceasefire agreement 25 times on the international border.

The DGMO-level talks between India and Pakistan are held on a weekly basis every Tuesday when both sides discuss various issues along the border.

The talks were held a day after Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation along the international border in Jammu.