Kathmandu, Nov 18: The Armed Police Force (APF) has agreed to form a special task force jointly with India's armed border force, Seema Suraksya Bal (SSB), to address cross-border crime. The eighth coordination meeting between the two forces tasked with their country’s border security held at APF Headquarters, Halchowk, Kathmandu from November 16-18, attended by the security heads of both parties concluded on Monday with consent to propose to their concerned ministry to form a joint task force.
In the coordination meeting, a six-member delegation from the SSB discussed important issues such as strategies to prevent illegal activities, drug trafficking control, regular joint border patrol to make border security more effective, monitoring and protection of border pillars, continuous coordination and cooperation between two bodies including information exchange.
Eighth Coordination Meeting of APF and SSB being held today
The Inspector General of the APF Raju Aryal and Director General of SSB Amrit Mohan Prasad represented their respective security agencies at the coordinated meeting. Spokesperson for the APF, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kumar Neupane told Republica that the meeting ended with a commitment from both sides in fostering cooperation to prevent and control cross-border crime.
“The meeting has been completed with a strong mutual commitment to addressing cross-border crime, ensuring dignified and smooth transportation of citizens of both countries and strengthening the bond of friendship and cooperation between India and Nepal,” DIG Neupane said.
The seventh coordinated meeting between the two security forces was held in India. The annual meeting between the chiefs of APF and SSB is held to discuss and find solutions to border security issues on the Nepal-India border.
The sixth coordination meeting scheduled to take place in Kathmandu in September 2022, could not be convened during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Regular discussions between APF and SSB are also organized at the Director-General-Inspector General, company chief, battalion chief and border outpost chief levels.
