First round of talks between India, Pakistan DGMOs concludes

NEW DELHI: The direct general of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan held talks by hotline on Monday evening, sources said, two days after the nuclear-armed neighbours reached a ceasefire agreement following intense fighting last week.

Dozens of people died as the arch rivals sent drones and other munitions into each other’s airspace over four days, a fortnight after an attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir that killed 26 people.

New Delhi said the attack was backed by Islamabad, an accusation Pakistan denied.

Pakistan called for neutral probe into the incident, however, India attacked Pakistan, claiming that she ‘destroyed terrorists camps’ at nine location in Azad Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Bahawalpur and Muridke.

India response, Pakistan took down six India aircrafts, which prompted India to attack military installations in Pakistan.

Pakistan responded quickly, attacking more than 25 locations in India, and reportedly causing huge losses.

After the Pakistan’s strikes, India requested United States to intervene and facilitate a ceasefire agreement with Pakistan.

Highly placed diplomatic sources told HUM Investigation Team that the sudden de-escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours became possible after urgent diplomatic engagement by major players, particularly Washington and Riyadh.

They revealed that Pakistan agreed to halt its retaliatory missile strikes and pursue an immediate ceasefire following requests relayed by the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — at India’s appeal.

In a statement on Saturday, India’s foreign ministry said both sides’ director generals of military operations would speak with each other on Monday at 1200 hours (0630 GMT).

Pakistan had not made any comment on plans for a call.

However, hours before the commencement of talks between the DGMOs of both the countries, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said that any future talks with India would centre around three key issues — Kashmir, water, and terrorism — calling US President Donald Trump’s remarks on the Kashmir dispute a significant development.

Speaking informally to an Inslamabad-based journalist, the minister had said, “President Trump has stated that the Kashmir issue must be addressed — this alone is a major diplomatic breakthrough.”

He said both countries now have a golden opportunity to resolve long-standing disputes, especially the Kashmir issue, which lies at the heart of most conflicts between the two nations.

“Nearly all wars between Pakistan and India have been fought over Kashmir, and the latest conflict was no different,” he said.

When asked what specific issues would be discussed if talks with India resumed, Asif listed Kashmir, water, and terrorism, describing them as “historical” matters requiring meaningful dialogue.