Indo-Pak peoples' forum seeks end to LoC hostilities

Says rising tensions along the border were not conducive to the interests of either

India and Pakistan should soon resume composite dialogue to find solutions to outstanding problems as rising tensions along the border between them were not conducive to the interests of either, members of a joint forum of Pakistani and Indian citizens said today.

"There is grave concern over the escalation of tension along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We urge the governments of India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to put an end to the hostilities," said the J-K chapter of the Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD).

Passing a resolution to this effect, Zahoor-ud-Din, the forum's president, said that the two governments should make every effort to come to the talks table for the sake of peace and welfare of the people in the region.

Expressing concern over the loss of lives of soldiers as well as civilians in border clashes, the resolution said the leadership of the two countries must take immediate steps to restore peace and ensure that the ceasefire agreement was strictly observed by the troops on both sides.

Repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement in place since 2003 have had an adverse impact on the people in the region, the resolution further added.

"We fear that if tensions along the LoC are allowed to fester, they will compromise the goodwill and reverse the peace dividends.

"We also fear that they will cause massive suffering to the people of not just the border areas, but eventually of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, on both sides," Zahoor-ud- Din said.

There have been over 90 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops so far this year. Six Indian Army jawans were killed and 13 people injured in firing by Pakistani troops at forward posts, civilian areas and on patrol parties along the border.