Pakistani troops recently encroached upon a 40-metre land in Ballard area along the international border in Samba sub-sector of Jammu frontier, Border Security Force deputy inspector general, Jammu sector, P K Mishra, said on Thursday.

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Talking to reporters at the Pilli Post on the Indo-Pak border after a sector commander-level meeting of the two countries, in which the BSF took up the issue, Mishra said the land had been reclaimed.

He said the issue would be discussed during talks between the BSF commandant and the wing commander of Pakistani Rangers on Friday as per a joint decision.

Mishra said Pakistan had removed one of the three pillars and had constructed a post illegally at Ballard area on the IB. "However, we have refixed the border pillar and have taken control of our land," Mishra said.

He said there is a dispute between India and Pakistan over 40 border pillars along the IB in the Jammu-Kathua sector. A survey by revenue authorities from the two sides would be conducted to arrive at a solution soon, he said.

Deputy Sector Commander, Lt Col Ali, who represented Pakistani Chinab Rangers in the meeting, refused to comment on the encroachment. He said henceforth BSF-Rangers meeting would be held every month.