ISLAMABAD: A 16-member delegation of Pakistan Rangers, headed by Rangers (Pun­jab) Director General Maj Gen Umar Farooq Barki, arrived in New Delhi Wednesday for routine annual talks with Border Security Force (BSF) officials.

The delegation comprises officials from Pakistan Rangers (Punjab and Sindh), Ministry of Interior, Survey of Pakistan and the Anti-Narcotics Force.

BSF Director-General Devendra Kumar Pathak will represent India at the meeting, which will last for four days (Sept 9-12).

A Rangers spokesman told DawnNews that the Rangers-BSF talks are held alternatively in India and Pakistan.

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The spokesman said both border guarding forces will discuss professional matters in relation to border management.

In order to avoid losses of innocent civilian lives and property, the delegation will discuss issues pertaining to ceasefire violations, smuggling and the safe return of inadvertent border crossers, the spokesman said.

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Independent observers rate this interaction highly significant against the backdrop of the recent heavy exchange of artillery fire.