The military officials of Pakistan and India have agreed to “fully implement” a ceasefire deal struck in 2003 and stop the recent cross-border exchanges of fire in the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir.

The agreement between the two rival countries’ director generals of military operations (DGMOs) came after the two military commanders reviewed the persisting situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir regions during a Tuesday evening conversation over a special telephone hotline, the Indian army announced.

Following the hotline contact, which was initiated by Pakistani DGMO Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, he and his Indian counterpart Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan issued statements declaring that both sides had agreed to execute the 15-year-old truce agreement in its entirety.

“Both the DGMOs agreed to fully implement the Ceasefire Understanding of 2003 in letter and spirit forthwith and to ensure that henceforth the ceasefire will not be violated by both sides,” said the Indian army statement.

“It was also mutually agreed that in case of any issue, restraint will be exercised and the matter will be resolved through utilization of existing mechanisms of hotline contacts and Border Flag Meetings at Local Commanders’ Level,” the Indian army statement further said.

In a similar statement, the Pakistani military also said both military commanders had agreed to undertake sincere measures to improve the existing situation to guarantee peace and avoid the infliction of further hardship on the civilians along the borders.