At a time when the Indian authorities are expecting conflict along the international border — besides, of course, across the Line of Control dividing Kashmir, mostly manned by the armies of the two contending countries — the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers will be undertaking a major confidence building measure (CBM).
In the process, the commanders of the two forces, the director generals of the BSF and Rangers, will be meeting at Lahore in July to discuss issues of mutual interest, sources in New Delhi's security forces said.
India has also been raising the issue of cross-border infiltration by terrorists from Pakistan, with the attendant supporting fire for cover by the Rangers.
The Indian side will also raise the issue of drug smuggling that has seen a rise along the Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab. Furthermore, India will also raise the issue of arms smuggling.
The biannual meeting between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers was held up on political grounds. New Delhi had put a caveat on the CBM by stating that the host, Pakistan, would have to give positive response to the Pathankot airbase terrorist attack probe. This investigation had witnessed a rare permission granted to officials from Islamabad to visit the site of the major military installation.
The last meeting between the two border forces was held in Delhi in September 2015.
