Saturday, November 19 2005 16:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: The Border Security Force and its Pakistani counterpart Pakistan Rangers today (Nov 19,2005) resolved to work for the peace and welfare of border residents on either side of the international border.

Addressing a joint press conference here at the conclusion of the four-day biannual talks, BSF Additional Director General of Police N P S Aulakh and Maj Gen Javed Zia, Director General, Pakistan Rangers (Sindh), said both sides took stock of the prevailing situation on the Indo-Pak border and deliberated at length for evolving smooth management on the border.

During the meeting, the fourth since the commencement of the process in March 2004, the two sides have endeavored to build mutual trust to analyze cross-border problems and "Evolve workable solutions for ensuring peace and tranquility on the Indo-Pakistan border," the senior officers said.

They said the issues discussed included illegal inadvertent border crossings, narcotics trafficking, trans-border smuggling and crime, joint patrolling and upkeep of border pillars.

Both delegations also had officials from Survey, PWD and anti-narcotic departments.

Zia said the talks were held in a very amicable atmosphere with a positive approach, reflecting the effect of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) initiated by the two Governments.

"I am very glad to tell you that the government level initiatives were reflected in the meeting and the effect is traveling down to the forces on the ground," he added, after exchanging the minutes of the meeting with Aulakh.