May 01, Kathmandu- Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, security personnel have also started tightening security at Nepal's border.

Security personnel from both countries have also tightened border controls at the Birgunj-Raxaul border crossing, the main entry point into Nepal from India. Security personnel from both countries have allowed entry to ordinary people travelling from Nepal to India and back to Nepal from India only after showing their identity cards.

Earlier, identity cards were mandatory for Nepalese travelling to India only by air and rail. Indians were not required to show any identity cards while travelling to Nepal. Similarly, identity cards were not mandatory for Nepalis when travelling to Indian market areas along the border.

On Baisakh 15, a meeting of the Border Security Force (BSF) chiefs from the border areas of both countries was held at the Indian Border Security Force (SSB) camp located in Tinlalten village of Chitrasen under Manpur police station in West Champaran, Bihar, India. The meeting was attended by the Superintendent of Armed Police of Parsa, Radheshyam Dhimal, and the Superintendent of Armed Police of Bara, Khum Bahadur KC. On the Indian side, senior officers from the 44th and 47th battalions of the SSB participated.

In that meeting, it was agreed between the officials of the border security forces of both the countries to tighten the checks of those travelling at the Nepal-India border crossing. Parsa Armed Police Superintendent Radheshyam Dhimal, who participated in the meeting, said, "It has been agreed to tighten the checks on those moving across the border. The decision has not been made. Only a trial is currently underway to implement the agreement."

Parsa Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal also confirmed that border checks have been tightened for those travelling between Nepal and India. Aryal said that checks have been tightened by adopting extra vigilance at the border posts to discourage illegal infiltration and entry of unauthorized persons through the posts. He said that checks have also been tightened at the Birgunj border post with the information and coordination of Indian counterparts.

He said that the checks at the border posts have been made effective in view of the recent developments in the relations between India and Pakistan. "While Nepali citizens are going to Raxaul across the border, they are treated like Indian security personnel at the border. Those coming to Nepal from India are also treated the same way by us at our border posts", Aryal said.