Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 12: In a major breakthrough, the results of which will be visible only after sometime, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Rangers, who were locked in bitter conflict amidst escalated tensions along the International Border (IB) in Jammu sector, today agreed to maintain November 2003 ceasefire agreement for peaceful and tranquil borders and decided to deal the issue of inadvertent border crossing by the civilians into each other’s territory with utmost caution.
At the end of their four days talks in New Delhi, the BSF and Rangers signed 20 point ‘Joint Record of Discussion’ charting future roadmap of cooperation between the two border guarding forces at 11 am today at the BSF Headquarters after which both sides agreed to hold the next talks in first half of 2016 in Pakistan.
IG BSF, Jammu Frontiers, Rakesh Sharma, who was an important member of the DG level talks between BSF and Rangers, which were held after two and half years in New Delhi, told the Excelsior on telephone that the talks were “very positive’’ and “successful’’ and that both sides have agreed to honour the ceasefire agreement, which existed between the two countries since November 2003.
“We are now confident that peace will prevail on the borders. Both sides have agreed to maintain ceasefire and check infiltration and narco smuggling on the borders,’’ Sharma said, adding the BSF will stick to the agreement. He added that the talks were very successful as far as Jammu Frontiers were concerned as ceasefire violations were taking place only in Jammu sector comprising of three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua although the International Border also exists at Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat but there was peace in those States.
“The security of the border population being a primary concern of both sides, it was felt that utmost caution and care would be taken to deal with the civilians,’’ the IG BSF said.
The ‘Joint Record of Discussion’ was signed by DG BSF DK Pathak and DG Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Maj Gen Umar Farooq Burki. The Indian delegation had 23 members and Pakistan 18. Both the delegations also had representatives from respective Home and Foreign Ministries along with officers from Narcotics Control and Survey Department.
An official handout on ‘Joint Record of Discussion’ released to the Excelsior by PRO, BSF Headquarters, New Delhi V N Parashar, said the meeting took up specific issue of concern including incidents of firing at the borders, smuggling of narcotics, infiltration attempts and defence construction activities in detail. The issue of inadvertent crossing by the border population into each other’s territory and measures to facilitate their return were also discussed.
“The security of the border population being a primary concern of both sides, the BSF and Rangers felt that utmost caution and care would be taken to deal with the civilians. The need for Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) including timely exchange of information at the field level and communication, simultaneous coordinated patrolling and sporting events etc were also discussed,’’ Parashar said.
Noting that the talks were held in “constructive atmosphere’’, he said the BSF and Rangers stressed the need for cooperation to maintain sanctity of the borders.
Sources pointed out that maintaining sanctity of the borders was a direct reference to maintenance of November 2003 ceasefire agreement that existed between India and Pakistan but was being frequently violated by Pakistan in entire Jammu sector from Akhnoor to Lakhanpur. Only last month, three civilians including two women were killed and 17 others injured in heavy Pakistan shelling in RS Pura and Arnia sectors of Jammu district. Prior to this too, there had been several civilian casualties, both fatal and non-fatal on the IB. The Pakistan side had also suffered heavy damage in retaliatory firing by the BSF.
“The BSF and Rangers mutually agreed to hold the next talks in first half of 2016 in Pakistan. The talks ended on optimistic note with the two sides agreeing on constant endeavour to maintain peaceful and tranquil borders,’’ sources said.
BSF and Rangers have also decided to put a complete ban on firing of mortar shells along IB, which has claimed the lives of several civilians and damaged their houses.
“The two sides have decided that they will not resort to mortar fire along IB in times of peace. At the same time, it was agreed that the two forces will not use heavy weapons and these sort of weaponry and ammunition will only be used as a last resort,” sources said.
They said the two sides discussed that the images of civilians and border population flashing the shiny metal fins of fired mortar shells was a very tragic sight and hence this sort of firing or retaliation should be immediately put to an end.
Mortar is an artillery which fires heavy-damage explosive shells.
The outcome of the talks, which both the sides said were held in a “cordial and constructive atmosphere”, also endorsed a Confidence Building Measure (CBM) that in case either side notices suspect movement along IB, they will fire precautionary illumination shots to alert the counterpart that the forthcoming fire is aimed at the intruder and not at them.
“Both sides have pledged to honour the written committments made during these talks. The two forces expressed belief that these words will be honoured in the times to come,” they said.
However, Pakistan has put on hold for the time being two other CBMs of cultural and sporting activities exchanges as proposed by BSF.
“Pakistan said it could be implemented after some time is given to the primary decisions taken of ending ceasefire violations and development of mutual trust. They have assured that these two CBMs would be activated before a BSF delegation travels to Pakistan by the middle of next year,” they said.
BSF and Rangers also decided to hold coordinated patrolling along IB in Gujarat, Rajasthan and once this is successful, this will be conducted along Jammu frontier too.
The joint record also mentioned that both sides will take extra steps to help and repatriate those who inadvertently cross the border and similarly ensure early release of apprehended fishermen.
It was also decided, they said, that any serious breach of ceasefire violation will be “jointly investigated” by the two sides.
BSF also put across the point that creation and maintenance of legitimate defence infrastructure along IB should be allowed without any interruption, which the other side accepted and requested for a reciprocal arrangement.
Sources said the documents exchanged by the BSF and Rangers during four days talks included the evidence given by India to Pakistan about ceasefire violations and facilitation of infiltration attempts by the militants from across the border. The evidence included the infiltration of three militants from Pakistan, who targeted Dinananagar police station in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
Sources said the BSF and Rangers agreed to jointly resolve sensitive issues like ceasefire violations and cross-border infiltration through timely exchange of information, including via email and over the mobile telephones, the mobile numbers of which will be regularly exchanged at the Sector Commander level.
The two sides agreed to stop ceasefire violations “through enhanced communication via multiple modes at all possible levels”. Both sides maintained that it was held in a very cordial and smooth manner and all the issues concerning the two countries along the Indo-Pak border were taken up and addressed.
The two sides had yesterday concluded their DG-level talks, which was extended by a day, and resolved that ensuring peace and tranquility on the Indo-Pak border was an important goal for both countries.
Sources said the Rangers spoke about the initiation of measures to stop ceasefire violations and claimed their side has suffered heavy damage in the BSF shelling.
Ceasefire violations by the neighbouring country along the border in Jammu and Kashmir have remained a major irritant in the bilateral ties between India and Pakistan. Pakistani troops have already violated the ceasefire 11 times so far in September.
Pakistan had said that it does not support any illegal border crossing as a matter of policy and, despite that, both the sides agreed to work out some “additional methods to further strengthen border control”.
Sources on the Indian side had said that both the forces, up to the level of Directors General, will exchange mobile numbers, email IDs and fax numbers for quick and swift communication to resolve situations on a case-to-case basis.
The Rangers later went to board a special BSF plane to Amritsar, where they will witness the retreat ceremony in the evening on the Indian side at Attari.
Thereafter, the BSF commanders of the Punjab frontier will formally bid farewell to the visiting delegation, which will cross over to Wagah in Pakistan.
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