Tensions between rival neighbors India and Pakistan have been boiling over in the last week with skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC). There have been casualties on both sides of the fence, as the respective governments try to de-escalate the problem. Now there have been reports that the situation is calmer, with Indian Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid saying that the Foreign Ministers on both sides do not need to meet specifically to discuss the matter further.
On January 16, 2013 the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both sides met and conversed about the issue. Indian Defence Minister A K Anthony has informed the Cabinet that this meeting has helped ease tensions to a large extent.
There has been co-operation from the Pakistani side after India protested the ruthless beheading of one of its soldiers along the LoC. There have been 5 casualties on each side since the skirmishes started 10 days ago. In regards to the beheading, Mr Khurshid said, “We stand by the content and the substance of what we believe is critical and crucial to what went wrong. And therefore obviously, addressing that will be a move towards putting it right”
The Pakistani side has told their Indian counterparts that their units have been advised to show restraint and cease fire along the border, a step that was well received by India.
