BDR, BSF sign deal on joint patrolling

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Border forces of Bangladesh and India in a meeting in Panchagarh Saturday entered into an agreement on joint patrolling to curb trans-border terrorism, drug smuggling, trafficking in women and children, and intrusion, reports UNB.

The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for keeping peaceful co-existence in the border areas, showing "maximum tolerance and resolving any problem through discussion."

The sector commander-level meeting was held at Tentulia Gono Sahajya Sangstha Bhaban near the main 443/2R pillar, against the backdrop of recent trading in gunfire by the two forces and shooting down of Bangladeshi frontier residents.

BDR Rangpur Sector Commander Colonel M Aftabul Islam led the 15-member Bangladesh team, while DIG Dr R Chandra Mohan of Kishanganj Sector headed the BSF team at the talks.

Earlier, the BDR side gave the BSF team a floral reception on their arrival through Haptiagachh border.

Killing or injuring Bangladeshi nationals in "unprovoked" firing by the Indian border guards, cattle-head grazing alongside the zero line by nationals of both the countries, and cutting barb-wire fences came up for discussion in the four-hour meeting that concluded at about 2pm.

Matters related to development of relation between the two next-door neighbours were also discussed at the meet, which coincided with the Indo-Bangladesh home secretary-level talks underway in Dhaka.