India-Pakistan border forces talks end on ‘optimistic’ note

Pathak and Burki exchange documents at the end of their talks in New Delhi yesterday.IANS/New DelhiThe four-day talks between India’s Border Security Force and its Pakistani counterpart Pakistan Rangers ended yesterday on an “optimistic note” with both sides agreeing to take steps to maintain peaceful and tranquil borders.The talks between the directors general of the two border forces were held in a cordial and congenial atmosphere and the deliberations ended by signing an accord.A consensus was reached on various issues, including no firing along the border to protect the lives of innocent civilians.“The talks ended on an optimistic note with both sides agreeing on constant endeavour to maintain peaceful and tranquil borders,” BSF chief D K Pathak said.Sources said that Pathak and the delegation led by Pakistan Rangers chief Maj Gen Umar Farooq Burki have agreed to remain in touch by mobile phone, e-mail and fax in order to avoid ceasefire violations and escalation of tension on the border.The sources said the need for co-operation to maintain the sanctity of the borders was stressed upon.The issue of inadvertent crossing over by the border population and how to facilitate their return on both the sides was also discussed. Both sides felt caution and care should be taken to deal with civilians.The need for confidence-building measures including timely exchange of information at the field level and mobile communication, simultaneous co-ordinated patrolling, and sporting events were also discussed.A Joint Record of Discussion (JRD) charting a future route map of co-operation between the two border forces was signed.It was mutually agreed to hold the next talks in the first half of 2016 in Pakistan.The Pakistan Rangers chief led a 16-member delegation to India while the BSF fielded a 23-member team.Both delegations also had representatives from their home and foreign ministries along with officers from the narcotics control and survey department.Officials said Pakistani delegation left India after the talks.The talks began on September 10 at BSF headquarters in New Delhi.l  The Indian army’s Udhampur-headquartered Northern Command yesterday commemorated the victory in the 1965 India-Pakistan war.“Northern Command headquarter held an impressive function to commemorate the remarkable victory of Indian Army in 1965 Indo-Pak War,” Colonel S D Goswami, spokesman of Northern Command said in Jammu.“A function held at Udhampur headquarter was attended by senior serving officers, veterans, families and children in which tributes were paid to the valour of Indian soldiers,” Goswami said.The event was presided over by Lieutenant General N P S Hira, Chief of Staff Headquarters Northern Command.He flagged off two adventure activities which include an expedition covering approximately 300km (Nagrota-Akhnoor- Rakhmuthi) by a team of the Para motors and ‘The Victory Car Rally’.“The adventure activities are being conducted to pay homage to the heroes of the nation, who had made the supreme sacrifice in the war of 1965,” Goswami said.Earlier in the day, at a solemn function to honour the sacrifices made by the soldiers, rich tributes were paid by serving officers and veterans at the Dhruva War Memorial in Udhampur.