Pakistan tightens security measures at Wagah border

AMRITSAR: A day after strengthening deployment of forces along Indo-Pak border in Punjab, Pakistan Rangers have now laid barriers on the road leading to international border with India at Wagah, presumably to prevent any attack on the daily beating the retreat ceremony.

Over 20,000 people gather every day to witness the synchronized drill on both sides of Radcliff Line.

Asked about the latest development across the border, inspector general of BSF, frontier, Ashok Kumar said, "They must be having some security apprehension, but we have our security system in place".

Sources said Pakistan Rangers might have received threat from militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to strike at border. "The barrier will prevent any speeding vehicle from Pakistan side to cross the border and strike," they said.

In the past, Pak Punjab's Taliban had attacked Indian border villages in Amritsar sector. There had been three unprovoked incidents of rocket attacks in Amritsar sector in which 15 rockets were fired at Indian border villages from Pakistan in July and September 2009 and January 2010. One of the rockets had also fallen inside BSF's Kahangarh post.

Kumar said Pak Rangers had not officially informed them about heightened security on their side or any threat perception.

However, Kumar said the BSF was concerned about the security of visitors at Attari and had mooted several measures, including promoting day visits, restricting the movement of visitors, etc.

"There are many people who want to see the international border and border pillars. So we will promote and encourage them to visit during day time to avoid heavy rush in the evening," he said. BSF was also contemplating restrictions on entry of visitors from near ICP to avoid rush during the ceremony, he said.

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