Indo-Pak DG-level talks focus on ending ceasefire violations, joint patrolling on cards

New Delhi: India and Pakistan on Thursday decided to devise new strategies along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir to put an end to incidents of ceasefire violations as they began their three-day DG-level border dialogue here.

In what can be seen as an encouraging development in bilateral talks between the two neighbours, the BSF-Pakistan Rangers meeting has been extended for a day to "discuss and finalise" these new protocols and strategies.

"The most significant takeaway of the talks has been that the two sides agreed that maintenance of peace and tranquillity on this border is the most important issue and this needs to be implemented on the ground," a top government source said.

According to the set agenda, the talks were to be wrapped up today as tomorrow the Rangers are scheduled to meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his South Block office and later meet staff and officials in the Pakistan High Commission.

On their last day in Delhi on September 12, a joint record of discussions was to be signed between the two sides after which the visitors were to leave for Islamabad.

"Yes, the talks have been extended for a day and a special session will be held tomorrow to decide on protocols that will be put in place to put an end to ceasefire violations and make the Indo-Pak border tranquil," the source said.

Border Security Force (BSF) chief D K Pathak, during a public function of central investigative agency NIA in the evening here, told PTI that the Indian side was "happy" after the deliberations on the first day.

"I wouldn't say anything beyond that. The talks went on in a very cordial manner and we are happy about it," Pathak said.

Sources said the Indian side suggested that rather than debating and contesting about the past incidents, the two sides should work on a "future" strategy to make this border peaceful and safe for the troops and civilians alike.

Pakistan agreed to this point and after some more positive talks it was mutually decided that the session should be extended by a day, they said. The Rangers, led by their DG (Punjab) Umar Farooq Burki, asked BSF to initiate the joint patrolling along some mutually identified areas on this border, which was agreed by India, they said.

The sources further said the Rangers "did not bring on table" the issue of activation of the UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in Indian and Pakistan). These much-awaited talks are happening amid escalating tensions and continuing cases of ceasefire violations along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir and after over 1.5 years.

BSF also put forth its agenda points of stopping infiltration from across the border, smuggling of narcotics and construction of unauthorised defence structures by the other side on the frontier, the sources said, which was taken note by Pakistan.

The Rangers told the BSF that firing from their side had claimed the lives of their troops and civilians and this should be stopped.

Earlier, Rangers DG Maj Gen Burki was accorded a guard of honour at the border guarding forces' headquarters here and later welcomed by Pathak and other senior officers prior to the formal commencement of the deliberations taking place after December 2013 when BSF went to Lahore.

The Pakistani delegation, which had reached Delhi last evening via Amritsar, includes officials of Sindh Rangers, the country's interior ministry, Survey of Pakistan, anti- narcotics force and immigration department, among others.

This is the first high-level interaction between the two countries after the National Security Adviser (NSA)-level talks scheduled in Delhi on August 23-24 were cancelled due to differences over the agenda.

The issue of "no response" by the other side when BSF raises the 'white flag' that is used to indicate suspension of firing to allow a meeting of on-ground commanders of the two sides was also taken up and it was decided to have more channels of communication between field commanders, the sources said.

"The confidence building measures would be finalised tomorrow and jointly signed by their two DGs on September 12," one of the sources said.

BSF is also understood to have taken up the issue of intrusion into the 'Harami Nallah' area in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, and illegal movement of suspects up to the 'zero line' area along the IB, at many times in the dead of the night.

"Pakistan said it is doing its best with available resources and infrastructure it has and will also improve it to keep an effective vigil on the border," the source said.

When the other side raised the issue of air space violation, the BSF said it was not their domain as they do not have any air assets.

"Much of the talking was done by the Indian side and the Pakistani side was very receptive," the source said.