India and Pakistan Wednesday held a flag meeting on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that both armies respect their 2003 ceasefire agreement.

 

 Military spokesman S.N. Acharya said the meeting at the level of battalion commanders took place at the Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing in Poonch district.

 

 "Both delegations were led by colonel-level officers who discussed ceasefire violations and the need to abide by the tenets of the existing ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

 

 "The talks were held in a cordial environment and both sides have agreed to give due consideration to the issues raised by each other," the spokesman said. 

 

 He said the meeting was proposed by the Indian side with a view to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

 The bilateral ceasefire that came into force between India and Pakistan in November 2003 had brought in normalcy in the lives of people living along the border.

 

 India has been accusing Pakistan of violating the ceasefire agreement frequently since the beginning of this year. Five Indian soldiers were killed Aug 6 by Pakistani troops who crossed over into Indian territory.

 

 Repeated use of automatic weapons and mortar shells by Pakistan on the international border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts have also forced many villagers to migrate.

 

 However, the situation has become calm now and many families have returned to their villages.