The controversy over the “stroll” of Indian Minister Jairam Ramesh inside Pakistani territory was put to rest on Tuesday with the Rangers saying he “inadvertently took three to four steps.”

Pakistan’s border guard force came out with a statement on what had actually happened during Ramesh’s visit with Border Security Force (BSF) and customs officials to the checkpost at Wagah on January 18. It dismissed as incorrect reports that the Minister of State for Commerce had an “unchecked stroll” in Pakistani territory. The statement said the minister had pulled back after being warned by the Rangers’ officer on duty at the spot when he “inadvertently took three to four steps towards the Pakistani side”. “The minister immediately returned, saying sorry,” it added. The statement said BSF authorities had been advised to brief visiting dignitaries about the exact demarcation of the zero line at Wagah. Earlier, the News Daily had said Pakistan had sought a report from its officials on Ramesh’s “stroll” into Pakistani territory but the Minister said he had taken only “two steps.”