BSF, BDR to talk jt border patrol today

Sources said the home secretaries of both countries had, in principle, agreed to joint coordinated patrolling of the border but the modalities were left to the BSF and BDR to finalise. Bangladesh had not agreed to India’s suggestion of joint patrolling by security forces of both countries. Instead, the agreement was reached on coordinated patrolling.

‘‘This basically means that both BSF and BDR will carry out patrolling in their respective territories but will coordinate with each other in terms of timing and sharing of information,’’ a Home ministry official said. Greater vigil on the border will curtail illegal immigration, cross-border movement of people including insurgents and smuggling of drugs and arms. ‘‘The issue was also discussed by the home secretaries but it will go in a more positive direction during the talks between BSF and BDR chiefs,’’ he said.