Wagah (Amritsar), July 10: Various agencies at the joint check post on the Indo-Pak border here have readied themselves for crossing over of first buses from the two countries to mark resumption of inter-country bus service after a gap of 19 months.
The agencies include the customs, immigration and the BSF.
Intelligence agency officials have also been directed to keep a watch on the buses when they cross the border here for their journey to Delhi and Lahore during their bi-weekly run.
BSF jawans have been directed to remain alert and keep a tight surveillance when the bus from Lahore crosses the Red Cliff at the JCP here till it reaches the customs and immigration sections where the officials of two departments are expected to check the passport and frisk the luggage of the passengers, senior BSF officer Ish Aul said today.
The first bus from Pakistan is expected to cross the International Border at 7 am for its journey to Delhi while the DTC bus would cross the border in the afternoon.
The service was suspended after the attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001.
Additional Commissioner of Customs Parminder Singh Sodhi said X-ray machine had been updated for checking of the baggage.
The strength of the staff has also been increased to clear the bus in shortest possible time, he added.
Sodhi said that a special team of customs counter intelligence would also be present to check smuggling. It would take at least one hour for customs clearance of the passengers and also to conduct mechanical check of the bus to detect hidden contrabands or ammunition which could be smuggled from Pakistan, he added.
Bureau Report
