BSF returns Pak farmers’ wind-swept wheat bales

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 24

Amid hostilities between India and Pakistan, the Border Security Force (BSF) has made a goodwill gesture towards farmers of the neighbouring country.

Strong winds swept several bales of wheat harvested by these farmers towards the Indian side. The BSF squad at the Daoke Border Outpost in Attari returned the bales yesterday.

JK Singh, BSF Commandant, said the crop was given back after a flag meeting with Pakistani Rangers last evening.

BSF officials stated that since the area was notorious for cross-border drug trade, the bales were thoroughly checked. Since January, the BSF has seized 65-kg heroin.

Meanwhile, the Indian farmers are being given more time to harvest the crop on their land located beyond the border fencing. The border gates are normally opened between 9 am and 4.30 pm. For the past week, the timings have been extended (8 am to 6.30 pm).

“We won’t spare cross-border smugglers, but the farmers from either side deserve to be helped out,” an official said.

The BSF has sent back at least five Pakistani nationals back to their country since January after they inadvertently crossed over to the Indian territory.

They were identified as Nemshah (35), Mohammad Ali (65), Mureed Faqir (60) and Sabir Hussain (50), besides a 50-year-old man.