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| Pak Rangers plead innocence in Samba intrusion | | 'We wish success for Amarnath yatra, want Pak Hindus to join' | | Early Times Reporter
Ramgarh | June 26
Taking the opportunity of annual spiritual affair –which for a moment blurs the boundaries between India and Pakistani –the Pakistani Rangers sought to plead their innocence in the cross border infiltration in Samba sector which caused mayhem last month.
Interestingly, even as Jammu and Kashmir is boiling in controversy, the Pakistani Rangers wished success for the ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage.
The annual Baba Chamlayal Mela on the International Border in Ramgarh sector of Samba district witnessed the same enthusiasm and faith as has been the precedence even in wake of any level of hostilities between India and Pakistan. This year, however, meeting point had a remarkable difference that the Pakistani Rangers –the counterparts of BSF on the other side –claimed their innocence and said that they want to live in peace with India.
Colonel Abdul Muzaffar Shah, a commander of Sialkote sector of Pakistani Rangers crossed over the Zero Line along with his contingent and families to offer chaddar at the shrine of Baba Dalip Singh Manhas –the Baba Chamlayal.
Interacting with the visiting media persons from Jammu, Col Shah said, the Rangers as also the people on other side wanted to live in peace with India and expressed desire that ongoing Amarnath Yatra would be conducted smoothly wishing that devotees in Pakistan would one day be able to undertake t he pilgrimage.
He said various confidence building measures taken between both the countries are yielding results. "We are jointly fighting against terrorism in the region and working out joint mechanism to deal with the threat".
He said," Pakistan is more prone to terror attacks", in response to a question whether Pakistan was fueling cross border terrorism from its territory.
The Pakistani ranger however denied reports of infiltration bids from across the border in Samba sector. "It is not in my knowledge", Col Ahid quipped in his brief comment to an uneasy question.
The Indian officer too shared similar sentiments and expressed hope that peace will prevail in the region. The Pak ranger also expressed hope that large number of Hindus living in Pakistan would be able to perform Amarnath pilgrimage.
The Indian side led by DIG BSF, GS Virk first greeted Pakistani rangers and then escorted them to the tents raised close to the zero line for a brief ceremony. Both the sides exchanged pleasantries and interacted with each other.The bonhomie was partially missing as the size of the Pakistani team was trimmed as compared to previous years.The duration of time spent by teh Pakistani officers was also little less as compared to previous years.Add to this recent incident of infiltration in Samba sector had also impacted mela celebrations as BSF men and Pak rangers were seen strictly monitoring movement of devotees of Baba Chamliyal. |
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