M A I N   N E W S

Pak Rangers build up defences
From Gurpreet Singh
Tribune News Service

GAZNIWALA (Ferozepore), March 8 — With the Indian authorities trying to fence about a 5-km stretch of the Indo-Pak border here, the Sutlej Rangers on the other side have reportedly built up defences close to the international border.

Sources in the Border Security Force (BSF) revealed that the Sutlej Rangers had constructed bunkers and observation posts within a 150-metre range of the international border, although the ground rules do not permit either side to do so.

It is believed the Rangers are agitated at the fencing, being done afresh to cover a gap of about 5-km caused by the 1995 floods. In retaliation, they are now trying to build up pressure of the BSF by camping ahead of the 150-metre limit. While the BSF is tight-lipped about the exact number of Pakistani defences, which have emerged close to the international border, villagers and a contractor engaged in fencing say a large number of bunkers and posts — within the limits prescribed by the ground rules — can be seen on the other side.

The BSF officials posted here did not allow this reporter to closely watch the trouble spot. But independent inquiries revealed that tension prevailed when the fencing was started afresh in November last year. The contractor, Mr V.S. Saini, said the Rangers had earlier objected to the fencing, citing ground rules, although the work was being executed behind the prescribed limit. While the matter was resolved after a series of flag meetings, the Rangers constructed defences close to the border”, he said.

He said the fencing of just 1-km stretch of the border was still to be done, which was likely to be completed by March 31. He, however, lamented that the security situation was affecting the work, with labourers findings it difficult to frequent to the construction site on account of restrictions.

Summing up the development as “reflection of the enemy’s frustration”, a senior BSF official said, “The Pakistani Rangers are perhaps frustrated due to their inability to infiltrate anti-national elements to this side of the border any more”. He, however, admitted that the ground rules, restricting construction within the 150-metre range, had lost relevance after the 1971 Indo-Pak war.