NEW DELHI, India: As Pakistan and India began three-day border talks in New Delhi on Thursday, the two sides agreed not to allow escalation of tensions along the Line of Control (LoC).
A 16-member delegation of the Pakistan Rangers led by the Director General Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Major General Umar Farooq Burki is representing Pakistan in the talks whereas India is being represented by the Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Devendra Kumar Pathak accompanied by 22 other officers.
In the talks, the two sides are discussing violations of the 2003 ceasefire agreement, cross border smuggling and handing over the people who mistakenly cross the border.
Earlier in the day when the two neighbors began talks, their top military commanders agreed to open more channels of communication for resolving all issues of utmost importance between the two sides, increase bilateral engagements and maintain peace along the international border.
The Pakistan army, according to the Indian media, pledged during the talks that its troops will observe ceasefire strictly and exercise restraint in the days to come.
On Wednesday evening, the Pakistan delegation comprising of members from Pakistan Rangers Punjab and Sindh, Ministry of Interior, Survey of Pakistan and Anti-Narcotics Force led by the DG Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Major General Umar Farooq Burki reached New Delhi for routine bi-annual talks with the Indian BSF.
“In order to avoid losses to innocent civilian lives and properties the delegation will discuss issues pertaining to unprovoked ceasefire violations, smuggling and safe/early return of inadvertent border crossers,” the media wing of Pakistan army Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.
