Pak railway station on border alarms India

New Delhi is preparing to register a formal evidence-packed protest with Islamabad over violation of the Zero Line in the Barmer sector where Pakistan is building a railway station, with Chinese help, within the restricted area.

The BSF that guards the sector has taken a serious note of the development as it comes despite the BSF conveying its concerns to Pakistani Rangers during their quarterly meeting. The border force is learnt to have been asked by the ministry of home affairs to video record the construction activity as evidence of Pakistan’s obstinate stance.

The construction activity is taking place just 10 metres from the internal LoC between India-Pakistan, which is a grave violation of international norms.

BSF has done a detailed survey of the area along with videography of upcoming railway station construction by Pakistan adjoining the international border at Munabao in Barmer district.

“Large amount of construction material is lying dumped on the site, which is clearly visible from the Indian territory,” said C Santosh Kumar, SP Barmer. The site is located at a distance of hardly 15-20 metres from the international boarder, he said.

The two countries had reopened the Munabao-Khokhrapar railway line in February 2006 after it was shut down during Indo-Pak war in 1965.

Pakistan had a small railway station at zero line, but instead of removing the platform, which was in violation of internal border laws, Pakistan has started developing it.

“They are going ahead with the railway station construction despite our objection. Considering this serious breach of internal border laws, we are going to take up the matter with higher authorities,” a senior BSF official told DNA.