Jammu, Aug 27 (IANS): India and Pakistan Wednesday held a flag meeting on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir to defuse tension between the two countries.

The commander-level flag meeting between Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers was held at Nikowal post in Akhnoor sector of the international border in Jammu district at 3 p.m. Wednesday, BSF sources told IANS in Jammu.

"BSF lodged a formal protest with Pakistan Rangers over ceasefire violations, firing and shelling on border outposts and civilian areas by them during the past 45 days in which two people have been killed and 17 others injured," BSF sources said.

The BSF team is believed to have given Pakistan Rangers proof of their involvement in the firing and shelling on civilian areas in Arnia, R.S. Pura, Ramgarh, Akhnoor and Kanachak forward areas along the international border in Jammu and Samba districts.

It must be mentioned that over 3,000 villagers living in areas close to the border have been lodged in government accommodations in the two districts.