UN mission at LoC fulfilling role under difficult conditions, says peacekeeping chief

United Nations: The UN observer mission tasked with monitoring the ceasefire line between India and Pakistan is among the world body's "more discreet" operations that is fulfilling its role in the Kashmir area under difficult circumstances, the UN peacekeeping chief has said.

Head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous told reporters here yesterday that he was the first UN official from the peacekeeping department to visit the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) last year.

"It is indeed one of our more discreet operations but I think it is fulfilling its role in the Kashmir area under difficult circumstances," Ladsous said when asked to comment on the mission.

He said that the mission "gathers may be little less attention" but that UN colleagues who are there deserve "our support and admiration because it is not an easy condition, so high up in the mountains."

The UN has long maintained an institutional presence in the contested area between India and Pakistan.

According to the Security Council mandate given in a 1971 resolution, UNMOGIP observes and reports on ceasefire violations along and across the Line of Control and the working boundary between the South Asian neighbours in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as reports developments that could lead to ceasefire violations.

UNMOGIP currently comprises 42 military observers and a number of civilian staff members.

India has, however, always maintained that UNMOGIP has "outlived its relevance" and has "no role to play whatsoever".