Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 19: The Border Security Force (BSF) today took up the issue of infiltration attempts by the militants, moving of civilians and hunting of wild animals during night hours on Pakistan side of the International Border (IB) and digging of tunnel on the Indian side, which was detected on March 3, during high level Sector Commander flag meeting with the Rangers, held on Pakistan side of the international boundary.
The Sector Commander level flag meeting between India and Pakistan was held after long time along the IB in which the BSF forcefully took up the issue of infiltration attempts by the militants and digging of the tunnel on Indian side in RS Pura sector with a view to facilitate intrusions.
Official sources told the Excelsior that DIG BSF, Jammu BS Kasana led the Indian delegation in the meeting that lasted three hours from 9.30 am onwards while Brig Wasim Jafar Bhatti led the delegation of Pakistan Rangers.
“The issue of infiltration attempts by the militants from Pakistan side with reported connivance of the Rangers, suspicious movement across the IB especially during the night and hunting of wild animals after the Sun set dominated the meeting from the Indian side, which wanted the Rangers to stop all such activities including any attempt to facilitate infiltration by the militants,” they said.
The BSF delegation cautioned the Rangers against attempting to facilitate intrusion bids by the militants along the international boundary. The Rangers, as usual, denied that they were trying to push militants into the Indian side saying there were no militants on their side of the border.
However, sources said, the security agencies have specific inputs about presence of militants on Pakistan side of the IB, who could try to infiltrate with the help of Rangers.
Sources were of the view that undesirable movement of civilians or farmers across IB and hunting wild animals during the night on Pakistan side of the IB could be a plot of militants and the Rangers to test presence of the BSF before trying to push the militants into this side. But, they added, the BSF was maintaining high alert on the borders and wouldn’t allow designs of the militants to succeed.
Illegal entry of Pakistani civilians in the Indian territory, unwanted objections on maintenance of border infrastructures’ by Pakistani Rangers, burning of `sarkanda’ on IB without prior intimation and digging of tunnel from Pakistan side to Indian territory in RS Pura sector on March 3 this year were the other major issues that the BSF took up with the Rangers during the prolonged meeting.
“The BSF delegation reiterated strong protest with Pakistani Rangers on digging of tunnel from Pakistan side into the Indian territory, which was detected by the BSF in RS Pura sector on March 3,” sources said adding that the Rangers again denied their involvement in digging of the tunnel but assured the BSF delegation that they will take all measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.
Noting that the BSF-Rangers meeting was held in cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere, sources said both the sides agreed upon to re-energize existing mechanisms of communication between the forces and hold meetings and contacts at all levels, whenever required, for maintaining peace and tranquility on the borders.
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