UN observers call for truce along LoC
AFP, Islamabad
UN military observers monitoring skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani troops in disputed Kashmir urged the nuclear neighbours to lay down arms for good. The ceasefire call by the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) came ahead of this Sunday's International Day of Peace. The day "should be regarded like a chance to cease all hostilities for as long a time as possible," it said in a rare public statement on Friday. "The conflict over Jammu and Kashmir has cost many lives, caused much tragedy and could, sadly, continue to affect the stability of the region for years to come. "It is UNMOGIP's hope that the parties to the conflict will embrace this opportunity to lay down their arms and observe the International Day of Peace on 21 September, and preferably not only that day." Pakistani and Indian troops trade fire almost daily across the 767 kilometer (475 mile) Line of Control (LoC), a de-facto border drawn up in 1971 along ceasefire lines dating back to the neighbours first war over Kashmir in 1948.
| 
