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BSF-Pakistan Rangers meet: India warns against cross-border firing, infiltration

BSF strongly took up specific issues of concern including incidents of unprovoked cross- border firing, smuggling of narcotics, infiltration attempts, tunneling, etc
Shaswati Das
While the Pakistani delegation raised the issue of targeted firing by BSF, it was made clear that such an action is resorted to when unprovoked firing from the other side kills troops, civilians or leads to other damage. Photo: PTI
While the Pakistani delegation raised the issue of targeted firing by BSF, it was made clear that such an action is resorted to when unprovoked firing from the other side kills troops, civilians or leads to other damage. Photo: PTI

New Delhi: India on Friday warned Pakistan against unprovoked cross-border firing and abetting infiltration across the Line of Control in Kashmir and the international border.

The warning came at the three-day biannual talks between the directors general of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistan Rangers.

“The Indian side firmly and strongly took up specific issues of concern including incidents of unprovoked cross border firing, smuggling of narcotics, infiltration attempts, tunneling and defence construction activities,” an Indian home ministry statement said.

“The issue of inadvertent crossing over by the border population and ways to facilitate their return on both the sides was also discussed. It was agreed upon in deliberations that utmost caution and care should be exercised in dealing with the civilians,” said the statement.

Both the BSF and Pakistan Rangers have agreed to maintain “peace and calm” along the border, it said.

“The need for cooperation to maintain the sanctity of the borders was emphasized upon. The talks were held in a constructive atmosphere. The talks concluded with both sides agreeing on a constant endeavor to maintain peaceful and tranquil borders. It was mutually agreed to hold the next round of talks in Pakistan,” the statement added.

While India was represented by BSF director general K.K Sharma, the Pakistan delegation was led by his counterpart at Pakistan Rangers, Muhammad Saeed, along with an entourage of representatives of both countries’ home and foreign ministries.

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