Pakistani, Indian DGMOs speak as truce holds

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Senior military officials from Pakistan and India on Monday conferred on ways of defusing tensions between the neighbours.

For the first time since a tenuous truce went into effect between the nuclear-armed neighbours, Pakistani and Indian directors-general of military operations (DGMOs) spoke over the telephone.

India’s DGMO Lt. Gen. Rajeev Ghai and his Pakistani counterpart Maj. Gen. Kashif Chaudhry exchanged views on details of the ceasefire.

The military operations chiefs discussed the need for de-escalation after a night of calm on the Line of Control, with no explosions or gunfire exchange reported.

Also on Monday, markets reopened on a positive note after a tense weekend and airports resumed operations on both sides of the border.

A day ahead of the hotline conversation, Inter-Services Public Relations Director-General (ISPR DG) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan had struck 26 military targets and facilities that were used to target Pakistani citizens.

In response to a query regarding the US-brokered ceasefire, the military spokesman clarified that Pakistan never requested it.

Following a befitting response to  Indian aggression, Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, Chaudhry explained, referring to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the truce.

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