The leadership of Pakistan Rangers and India's Border Security Forces (BSF) agreed on Friday that the "spirit" of a 2003 ceasefire agreement must be revived to protect innocent lives, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued the same day revealed.

The Rangers and BSF also agreed that unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations result in the loss of innocent civilian lives, which often include women and children, and therefore must be prevented.

The three-day meetings of the two forces' senior officials, held in New Delhi, are an annual event hosted in either India or Pakistan. The last session concluded today.

It was held in a highly "congenial and conducive atmosphere", according to the statement. Both sides discussed measures, including defence constructions near the Working Boundary, to curb cross-border smuggling and illegal crossings.

The BSF and Rangers also talked about speeding up the repatriation process of fishermen detained in Indian prisons due to inadvertent border crossings, in order to "reunite the affected families".

Security forces of both countries have made "serious endeavours" to resolve issues related to border management at post, company and battalion levels by encouraging local commanders to work in cooperation, the press release read.

Editorial

Updated 09 Aug, 2026

Makkah agreement

IN the midst of a gruelling war between the US and Iran — currently at a stalemate — the signing of the Makkah...
09 Aug, 2026

Conflicting priorities

THERE is a reasonable argument that the democratic process must go on regardless of prevailing conditions; that...
09 Aug, 2026

FIFA controversy

FIFA PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino is at the centre of a storm of his own making. Even after a crisis meeting in...
Updated 08 Aug, 2026

Danger ahead

PAKISTAN has already paid a heavy human price this monsoon, even as another dangerous spell approaches. NDMA figures...
08 Aug, 2026

Israeli impunity

ANY hope that Hamas’s decision to disarm would lead to a breakthrough has been dashed for one simple reason:...
Updated 08 Aug, 2026

Flawed investigations

An inaccurate record of a victim’s wounds hinders the dispensation of justice. Medical examiners in such a critical area cannot cut corners.