Wagah Border (Punjab), Oct 13 : Senior Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and Pakistan Rangers today began talks in Lahore to discuss security measures and strategies to combat the increasing militant activities, smuggling of narcotics and fake Indian currency notes.

The delegation of 18 BSF personnel was headed by Assistant Director General U. K. Bansal to hold discussions with Pakistan Rangers led by Shafakat Nawaz Khan, Deputy Director of Pakistan Ranger.

At Wagah, Bansal told reports, “The meeting is important in the wake of recent "sensational" militant attacks and increased narcotics smuggling activity.”

"These problems are not new. They are there on this border and all the borders around the world. Wherever there are some restrictions, the criminal and anti-social elements keep on trying such things,” said Bansal.

“In the last few days there have been some cases that can be considered sensational. I would like to clear that our forces are ready to face such challenges and we will discuss such challenges and problems related to this in the meeting," added Bansal.

The Pakistan Rangers, however, claim that security from their end is unblemished. They expressed optimism about the meeting ushering some fruitful results as the bilateral relations between the two countries are improving.

Khan said, "Pakistan Rangers troupes are extremely alert and vigilant towards the Pakistan side of the border. There is a complete fence with elaborate surveillance and observation systems.”

“There are lots of issues, which are on the agenda list of this meeting and hopefully with the cooperative environment, there is a strong possibility that these thorny issues would be discussed. And hopefully, I can assure you, by the end of the meeting there will be some good news," added Khan.

Some of the other issues that the BSF is likely to take up with Pakistan includes inadvertent border crossing, illegal crossing and welfare measures for the border residents of both sides.

The nuclear-armed neighbours launched peace efforts in 2004 after which there has been a string of improvements, from a cross-border bus services to more trade and some progress over border disputes. (ANI)