M A I N   N E W S

BSF delegation in Lahore
Spectacle of cordiality at meeting
From Ashok Sethi

WAGAH (Amritsar), Nov 20 — The four-day biannual meeting of the Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers got under way at Lahore today. A 10-member Indian delegation led by the IG, Mr Avtar Singh Aulakh, was welcomed by his counterpart, Brig Mohamad Ahsan, from Pakistan Rangers with great warmth and playing of Bollywood film tunes on the Pakistani side of the international border.

The spectacle of cordiality and goodwill moved the handful of mediapersons present to cover the event. This was in sharp contrast to the heightened tension in Jammu and Kashmir. A senior BSF officer preferring anonymity described the Pakistani gesture reflecting the Indian Prime Minister’s offer of cessation of hostilities during the period of Ramzan.

Mr Aulakh, the leader of the Indian team while talking to newspersons said a number of issues relating to the entire gamut of border policing and other related matter would be discussed.

Answering questions about the needle of suspicion pointing to the role of the BSF as alleged by the Punjab police last month with regard to a consignment of 7.5 kg of RDX having been seized from near the border the IG said they have already arrested a BSF jawan in this connection and thorough investigation was being carried out to ascertain the modus operandi and the involvement of others in this serious case. He added that the BSF would bring out the truth in this case. He admitted there were black sheep in the force and assured they would uncover such elements very soon.

According to information gathered by The Tribune a number of issues to be discussed at the biannual meeting would veer round unprovoked firing in the Jammu sector, the problems of fencing the sensitive border of Jammu and Kashmir, repair work to be undertaken with regard to the damaged pillars on the Punjab border, the movement of stray animals and men from both sides of the border and other important matters relating to effective check on the smuggling of narcotics and arms.

Mr Aulakh was accompanied by a high-level team which includes Mr Bakshish Singh, IG (Rajasthan and Gujarat), Mr V.N. Rai, IG (Headquarters), Mr K. Vijayakumar, IG (HQ), New Delhi, senior staff officers A.K. Sethi, R.A. Tiwari and G.S. Virk, Brig V.C. Tyagi from Survey of India, Mr Kanwaljit Singh Brar, SE (PWD), and Mr A.R. Kalha, Deputy Director, General Narcotics Control Bureau.