Villagers along International Border relieved after India-Pakistan agree to new CBMs

JAMMU: The villagers living along the International Border (IB) in Jammu region heaved a sigh of relief after India and Pakistan agreed to put an end to ceasefire violations and firing along the border as part of their latest confidence building measures (CBMs).

"Every time there is a ceasefire violation and firing from across the border we become the victim, as most of the time it is the common people who die, if what you are saying (about CBMs) is true then we are really happy as it is going to benefit us," said Vishal, a resident of Arnia sector that in past has bore the brunt of cross border firing.

The latest set of CBMs agreed upon by Border Security Force (BSF) and Pak Rangers to put an end to ceasefire violations and firing along the border are expected to be put in place in the next fortnight.

The two sides, during their three-day DG-level talks in New Delhi yesterday decided to enhance communication channels by getting in touch over the fastest modes of communication like mobile phone, fax and email and ensure that they alert the other side with a precautionary illumination fire if either side detects something suspicious on the IB.

"We are really happy that the thousands of border residents like us will be allowed to lead a normal life, we are happy that we won't have to leave our houses and our livestock as both the sides (India and Pakistan) have decided to put an end to ceasefire violations", Krishan Lal, another Arnia dweller, said.

The residents of various villages along the IB in the Jammu region are overjoyed with the news that there won't be ceasefire violations along the international border allowing them to lead a normal life.