BSF, Pak Rangers hold talks

Wagah, July 19 (UNI) The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistan Rangers today held talks at the border here, deliberating on the measures to be taken to meet the requirements for the expected increase in the Indo-Pak trade as per the SAFTA pact.

The 10-member BSF delegation was led by DIG (Rajasthan sector) P K Jain and the Rangers were headed by Maj Gen Tarin Khan.

Both the sides agreed to upgrade the infrastructure at the border to meet any increase in the volume of trade through this road check post, a BSF spokesman here said.

Major issues including cross border drug trafficking and other crimes were discussed at length at the meeting which was held on the Pakistan side of the Wagah joint check post.

The BSF have asked the Pak Rangers to increase the vigil to check the supply of heroin and other drugs through various border points across Punjab.

The drug trafficking was pointed out by the BSF as an ''international problem'' at the meet.

With the onset of monsoon, the task of flood control measures on both the sides of the Ravi and Sutlej rivers along the border was also discussed, the spokesman said.

The repair of the damaged pillars along the border was also taken up. The Indian side has been maintaining the pillars with even numbers and the Pakistani authorities looking after the odd-numbered pillars.

It was also felt that the Commandant level meetings should continue.

It was also realised that people who crossed the border unknowingly should be returned to their respective territories there and then as the process of repatriation was very lengthy and time consuming.

UNI XC HS PS AK HT2037