NEW DELHI, Jul 18, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) - The ceasefire between Indian and Pakistani troops along the line of control (LOC) in India- controlled Kashmir has been held for 20 months without any violation and will not be affected by the spurt in armed infiltration in the valley, PTI reported on Monday from Jammu, quoting a senior army official.
"There would be no effect of armed infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir from across LOC on the Indo-Pakistan ceasefire and it would hold on in near future," PTI quoted Indian Army's Northern Command Chief, Hari Prasad as saying. Prasad said that ceasefire, which came into effect on Nov. 26, 2003, is holding on without any violation from either sides during the past 20 months period and will continue in future as well.
To a question on the extended duration of the operation to neutralize the militants in Gurez area, Prasad said it is the most difficult terrain. "I have served in Mushkoh valley, I know how difficult it is to operate," he said.
Acknowledging that there was an increase in attempts to infiltrate into Kashmir, he said troops have been positioned along the ridge line and we will get all the infiltrators in next few days.