India-Pak ceasefire contributed to feeling of peace; first step towards normalisation of ties: Army chief

Army chief Gen MM Naravane said the ceasefire between India and Pakistan has contributed to a feeling of peace along the LoC. He however said this does not mean an end to the fight against terrorism.

The holding of the ceasefire between Indian and Pakistani armies along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir for the last three months has contributed to a feeling of peace and security, and it is the first step towards a long road of normalisation of ties between the two countries, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane has said. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Gen Naravane, at the same time, said the ceasefire does not mean that India's fight against terrorism has come to a halt and noted that there was no reason to believe that the terror infrastructure along the LoC has been dismantled by the Pakistan Army. The Army Chief also said that consistency in the reduction in infiltration attempts and terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir will go a long way in assuring India of Pakistani intent to foster good neighbourly relations.