Janata Dal- United (JD-U) President Sharad Yadav on Friday said that talks between India and Pakistan should continue to main peace and tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir and added that ending talks with Pakistan cannot be a solution.
"We need to have peace talks. I don't agree with people who say that we should not have talks with Pakistan. Ending peace talks with Pakistan is not a solution. There has have been wars and talks followed. Discussion for peace in the region is important," he said.
Earlier, in the wake of the Loc killings, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday asserted that it is imperative for both New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective steps to restore ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC) and said that he looks forward to meeting his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Sharif, who summoned an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the fast growing tension with India over the exchange of fire along the Line of Control (LoC), expressed his concern over the incidents which resulted in flaring up of tensions between India and Pakistan.
The meeting also reportedly discussed foreign policy and external challenges faced by Pakistan.
"I am looking forward to meeting PM Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. I am prepared to discuss steps with India for further strengthening existing mechanisms at political and military levels," said Sharif while stating that it is incumbent upon the leadership of both sides not to allow the situation to drift and to take steps to improve the atmosphere by engaging constructively with a view to building trust and confidence.
"It's imperative for both India and Pakistan to take effective steps to restore ceasefire at the LoC," he added.
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Meanwhile, appreciating Nawaz Sharif's statement of concern on the latest incident, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said that it might be indication of change in Pakistan's attitude towards such unfortunate incidents.
"I think it should be welcomed but we have to proceed with caution. I am not sure that such a regret has ever come in the past for hurtful incidents that have happened. It has come from the level of head of government in Pakistan. If such a thing has happened now may be it is indication of change," added Khurshid.
Salman Khurshid, however, kept Islamabad guessing whether Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh would meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif during the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
"It should be welcome, but we have to proceed with caution," Khurshid said.
"Let us give it time, never has such a statement ever come. Maybe it's an indication of change," he added.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the Parliament on August 8 that the specialist troops of Pakistan Army and a group from the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir side, which crossed the Line of Control, had killed the five Indian soldiers on Tuesday.
Antony, who made a fresh statement in the Parliament, said nothing happens from Pakistan side of the Line of Control without support, assistance, facilitation and direct involvement of the Pakistan Army.
Antony said Islamabad should also show determined action to dismantle the terrorist networks, organization and infrastructure.
The Defence Minister underlined that Tuesday's incident will have consequences on New Delhi's behaviour on the Line of Control and its relations with Islamabad.
"India's restraint should not be taken for granted, nor should the capacity of the Indian Armed Forces and the government's resolve to uphold the sanctity of the Line of Control ever be doubted," he said.
On morning of July 6, Pakistan had intruded into Indian Territory and ambushed five Indian soldiers who were patrolling an area along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District.