BSF, Pakistan Rangers hold flag meeting after six months

After a gap of over six months, BSF and Pakistan Rangers held sector commander-level flag meeting on Wednesday as the two sides called for bringing "much needed peace" on the border in the wake of recent exchanges of heavy fire.

"On the request of Pakistan, a Sector Commander-level flag meeting between BSF and Pakistan Rangers was held on International border near BOP Octroi from 1400 Hours to 1610 hours on March 18," a BSF officer said.

Four jawans and a woman were killed in Pakistan firing in January this year. Five Pakistani rangers and a girl were also killed in retaliatory firing. The last sector commander-level flag meeting was held on August 27 last year.

"It was decided to re-energise the existing mechanisms of communication between the forces and to hold meetings and contacts at all levels, whenever required, for maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border," officer said.

"The BSF delegation was led by B S Kasana, DIG BSF, Jammu and Brig Wasim Jafar Bhatti led the Pakistan Rangers' delegation," he said. The officer said that it was the first meeting between the border guarding forces after heavy shelling and firing on the border in recent months.

"Commanders of both the border guarding forces, inter alia, discussed the issue of repeated cross-border firing impressing upon bringing much needed peace on the border," officer said. "The meeting was held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere. Normal activities including farming will now resume on the border," he said. 

Also Read: Firing exchanges between BSF, Pakistan Rangers in Samba sector