India, Pak agree to continue with confidence-building measures

India and Pakistan have agreed to continue with ‘confidence-building measures’ that include reducing the alertness level of the respective militaries which in turn is expected to further “cool down” existing tensions.

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The Indian Army said on Thursday that as per the understanding arrived between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) on both sides on May 10, “it has been decided to continue the confidence-building measures so as to reduce the alertness level”.

On May 10, Pakistani DGMO Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah had called up Indian DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai and proposed “a pause to hostilities”.

Today in Pakistan, its Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the country's military had agreed to extend a ceasefire with India until Sunday. He told parliament that both sides had "military-to-military communication".

Meanwhile, the DGMOs had spoken on May 12 and mentioned “continuing the commitment” that both sides “must not fire a single shot” and also not to initiate any aggressive and inimical action.

The Indian Army had then said, “Issues related to continuing the commitment that both sides must not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive and inimical action against each other were discussed”.

Referring to the ongoing tensions, the Army had then said that the DGMOs agreed “both sides ‘consider’ immediate measures to ensure troop reduction from the borders and forward areas”.

The two nuclear-armed nations were locked in a four-day skirmish (May 7-10) after India struck at terror camps in Pakistan to retaliate against the killing of 26 innocent people at Pahalgam.