Harsh words replaced crossfire at the Line of Control and the International Border, which went silent for the first time in two weeks.
Sources confirmed to The Hindu that diplomatic initiatives between India and Pakistan have brought the situation under control for the moment.
The External Affairs Ministry issued its first public statement on the crisis, calling on Pakistan to “restore peace and tranquillity.” “It is for Pakistan to escalate or de-escalate. Pakistan and its security forces need to end adventurism along the border and LoC,” spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. Government sources told The Hindu that diplomats in New Delhi and Islamabad had been in close contact for the past few days.
PM’s tough talk
At a rally in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his toughest statement against Pakistan’s aggression at the border yet, saying, “Indian jawans have shut Pakistan’s mouth.”
In Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a National Security Council meeting, including the service chiefs. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs blamed India for “unprovoked violations” of the ceasefire, but said “war is not an option.”
