ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army accused Indian army chief on Monday of making inflammatory statements that could damage efforts for lowering tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

“Accusations and provocative statements are regrettable and counter-productive,” military spokesman Maj Gen Asim Bajwa said.

He was responding to a statement by Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh at the Annual Press Conference ahead of Army Day in India in which he had said that his troops had avenged the deaths of Indian soldiers on the LoC and that the ceasefire at the de-facto border would depend on how Pakistan acted.

Gen Singh’s statement came on the eve of a meeting of the trade ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of a Saarc meeting in Delhi in which the two leaders would review the progress made by their countries towards trade liberalisation and prepare a roadmap for completing the process.

The trade ministers’ meeting is taking place after a long pause in the peace dialogue between the two countries following skirmishes on the LoC, but doesn’t mark the re-start of the stalled process.

Gen Singh quoting Pakistani media reports of 10 soldiers having been killed in clashes on the LoC last year, said: “Let me assure you that action has been taken... This (killings of Pakistani soldiers) has happened due to firing of your soldiers on ground.”

On respecting ceasefire along the LoC in future, he said: “It depends, if rules are followed by our neighbours, we follow the rules. If rules are broken, then obviously we cannot stick to the rules. Even we are going to break the rules.”

Gen Bajwa, in his rejoinder to Gen Singh, said: “Pakistan Army respects the ceasefire agreement in letter and spirit.”

He said the Indian army chief’s statement was “contrary to the facts on ground”.

Gen Bajwa recalled that the situation along the LoC had improved after the meeting of the DGMOs and hoped that the atmosphere would be maintained.

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.