Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and urged the current state administration to expedite relief measures for affected civilians.
He said that lives could have been saved if the ceasefire had happened two to three days earlier. “I welcome the ceasefire. If it had happened 2-3 days ago, the lives we lost would not have been lost, Pakistan’s DGMO called our DGMO and the ceasefire was implemented. It is the responsibility of the current J&K government to assess wherever the damage has been done and start providing relief to the people,” Abdullah said.
Calling for urgent medical attention and compensation, Abdullah said, “Wherever people are injured, they should get proper treatment and also get relief under the government scheme.”
He stated, “The fire has caused a lot of damage. DCs have been instructed to immediately do a final assessment of the damage and send that assessment to us so that we can start providing relief to these houses.” Abdullah also highlighted the disruption caused by the closure of air services. “Our airport has been closed for many days, we hope that the airport will reopen after the ceasefire,” he said.
In a crucial step toward de-escalation, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart earlier this and the two sides agreed to halt all military actions—on land, at sea, and in the air—effective from 1700 hours IST.
Misri noted that instructions have been issued to enforce the ceasefire, with another round of DGMO-level talks scheduled for May 12 at noon.
Addressing the press briefing on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time.” He added, “Today, instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The Directors General of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours. (IANS)
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