(Image source from: Director General-level talks between Pakistan Rangers)

Much-anticipated Director-General bilateral talks between Border Security Forces of India and Pakistan Rangers would happen today on important issues like cross-border infiltration and ceasefire violations. A team of high-level delegates of Pakistan Rangers will arrive India to hold the talks with their counterparts. The Director General-level talks come after the cancellation of National Security Advisors (NSA) -level talks last month.

Beginning tomorrow, the talks will follow BSF’s ceremonial guard of honour at their headquarters. On 12 September, two DGs will sign joint record of discussions. The senior Rangers Director General (Punjab) Maj Gen Umar Farooq Burki will lead the Pakistan delegation containing 16 members, while BSF DG DK Pathak will lead Indian side with 23 members. The main agenda will be discussions on J&K ceasefire violations, sniper attacks on BSF personnel besides infiltration.

According a BSF statement, "The talks will also endeavour to focus on positive issues like different levels of communication, more simultaneous coordinated patrolling and other confidence building measures.”

Sources say that the talks will stress more on the key issue of J&K ceasefire violations because of which several lives of civilians and troops are lost. Also the "unprovoked" firing by the Rangers across the International Border would be stressed. The "no response" issue by other side when the 'white flag' is waved by BSF will also be discussed. Waving white flag signals stopping of fire. Moreover meeting of on-ground commanders of both the sides would also be discussed. The release of prisoners the either countries would also be stressed by two sides.

Second Rangers DG (Sindh) Maj Gen Bilal Akbar will also be the part of delegation. Today by 12 noon, the delegation would cross over the Attari-Wagah land border in Punjab and following a ceremonial reception by BSF commanders, they would leave on a special BSF plane to Delhi from Amritsar.

There is also a proposal for some sporting tournaments by BSF between both the sides something similar to that of an arrangement with Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB).

According to a senior official, "However, the proposal is subject to acceptance by the Rangers.”

    

-Sumana