Islamabad, Jan 2 (IANS) Saying “something is surely terribly amiss”, a newspaper Friday urged leaders of India and Pakistan to end the “turbulent phase” along the Jammu and Kashmir border.
“The political and military leadership of both sides needs to come together to bring an end to this turbulent phase along the LoC (Line of Control) and the working boundary,” the Dawn said in an editorial.
It said that violence along the Kashmir border “has been a regular feature for much of the past year”.
It said that in typically murky circumstances, “several Pakistani and at least one Indian border guards were killed” on the eve of New Year.
“What is alarming about the latest, however, is that the Pakistani version suggests that two Rangers were lured into a flag meeting with their Indian counterparts and then killed in a hail of gunfire.
“Also worrying is the Indian defence apparatus’ seeming determination to resort to the use of disproportionate force and then boast about its disproportionate response.
“When responses are measured in multiple killed for every dead body, something is surely terribly amiss,” it said.
The Dawn said what was needed was some meaningful work on reducing the border tensions.
“The only effective guarantee of peace is to make sure the guns fall silent…
“The political and military leadership of both sides needs to come together to bring an end to this turbulent phase” on the border of Jammu and Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan.