News Analysis India

Tag: Border Security Force

  • Pakistan drone spotted in Punjab’s Gurdaspur sector 

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: BSF troops opened fire at a drone from Pakistan along the International Border in Punjab’s Gurdaspur sector on Tuesday, officials said.

    Border Security Force (BSF) troops heard a buzzing sound of the flying object in the early hours and opened fire, officials said.

    Search operations have been launched in the area to check if any packages were dropped by the drone in Indian territory, they said.

    CHANDIGARH: BSF troops opened fire at a drone from Pakistan along the International Border in Punjab’s Gurdaspur sector on Tuesday, officials said.

    Border Security Force (BSF) troops heard a buzzing sound of the flying object in the early hours and opened fire, officials said.

    Search operations have been launched in the area to check if any packages were dropped by the drone in Indian territory, they said.

  • BSF recovers arms, ammunition near Indo-Pak border in Jammu; troops on alert 

    By PTI

    JAMMU: The Border Security Force (BSF) Thursday recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a special search operation (SSO) along the International Border (IB) in Jammu, officials said.

    They said the SSO was launched as there were intelligence inputs about Pakistan-based terrorists attempting to smuggle weapons into the Indian territory.

    The troops were on high alert following the adverse inputs and were regularly patrolling the areas near the three-tier border fencing along the IB, they said.

    The SSO was launched on the zero-line ahead of the fence along the IB in sub-sector Pargwal of Akhnoor during which a bag full of weapons and ammunition was recovered, they said.

    The recoveries include one AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of AK-47 rifle, two magazines, two made-in-Italy pistols, 40 rounds of pistol and four pistol magazines, they said, adding the troops averted a major tragedy by ensuring the consignment smuggled from Pakistan did not enter India.

    Talking to reporters, BSF DIG S K Singh said the troops once again exposed the evil designs of Pakistan-based terrorists and made a big dent on their nefarious activities.

    He further said the BSF is on high alert all the time and committed to secure the International Border.

  • Fresh batch of 446 constables join Border Security Force

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday got a large complement of freshly trained constables after completing their grueling Basic Training.

    The BSF on Wednesday informed, “Passing out cum attestation parade of 446 Constables of Batch No 589 and 590 were held at Subsidiary Training Centre (STC), Bengaluru on Wednesday.”

    Lieutenant General B K Repswal, Commandant, ASC Centre & College, took the salute and reviewed the parade. He congratulated the participating Constable trainees for their smart turnout and excellent drill.  A large number of family members of passed-out constables also witnessed the parade.

    “The newly selected trainees undergo grueling training of around Nine months which includes basic tactics, firing drill, skill at arms, and various attack and defence drills.” told an officer.

    After the successful training and attestation, these constables are assigned to their battalions, added the officer.

    STC BSF Bangalore is imparting training to basic recruits and in-service courses to all ranks of BSF.

    The recruits of state police like Bihar, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep and Odisha, India Reserve Battalions and police personnel of North Eastern Police Academy, Railway Protection Force, CISF, National Police Academy and Nepal Armed Police have been trained here besides the training of BSF personnel. It has been declared the best STC in the force.

    BSF was raised in the year 1965 as a specialized Force to ensure the sanctity of India’s borders; the force proved its mettle in the 1971 war with Pakistan and played a decisive role in the liberation of Bangladesh.

    BSF troops have also been deployed in counter Insurgency/extremist operations involving the states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir. Presently 16 Battalions of BSF are deployed in Anti-Naxal operation in most remote areas of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

    The Border Guarding Force has a total strength of more than 2.65 Lakhs comprising 13 FTR, 44 Sectors and 193 Battalions (including 3 National Disaster Relief Force Battalions) and is entrusted with the duty of border management along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders. It also serves along the Line of Control with the Indian Army.  

    Meanwhile, Pankaj Kumar Singh, Director General Border Security Force reached Gandhidham on Wednesday on a three-day visit to the BSF Gujarat Frontier. “The DG will take a detailed review of the security scenario of India-Pakistan International Border of Gujarat frontier. He will also be taking stock of the ongoing development works along the IB of the frontier.” BSF said in a statement.

  • WATCH| BSF, Pakistan Army exchange sweets and greetings at Wagah border on 73rd Republic Day

    By ANI

    AMRITSAR: In a goodwill gesture, Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Army exchanged sweets and greetings at the Attari-Wagah border on India’s 73rd Republic Day on Wednesday.

    #WATCH Border Security Force & Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets and greetings at JCP Attari on India’s 73rd Republic Day pic.twitter.com/nTD23Wf937
    — ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022
    The officials of the BSF and Pak Rangers exchanged sweets and pleasantries.

    The exchange of sweets was suspended in the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic whereas earlier in 2018, the BSF skipped the tradition on January 26 over growing incidents of ceasefire violations across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.

    Even in 2019, both border guarding forces of India and Pakistan did not exchange sweets and greetings on the occasion of Eid along the Attari-Wagah border as the Pakistan chose to skip the friendlier gesture at the border after the special status give to Jammu and Kashmir was revoked

    Similarly, after the surgical strike in October 2016, the BSF did not offer sweets to Pakistan Rangers. Because of the Covid pandemic, the flag lowering ceremony or Beating Retreat border ceremony have been suspended at Attari-Wagah border.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the newly built National War Memorial (NWM) today morning in New Delhi, prior to participating in the 73rd Republic Day celebrations.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt, Defence Secretary, Ajay Kumar, and the Chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces, i.e, Army, Air Force, and Navy, were also present on this occasion.

    The Inter services Guards was formed by 7 Soldiers from each service. This year, the guards were commanded by a Naval Officer, Lt Cdr Amit Kumar Rathi. The Contingent commander was Sqn Ldr Akash Gangas.

    When the Prime Minister laid the wreath, the Inter services guards presented ‘Salami Shastra’ followed by ‘Shok Shastra’. Simultaneously, the buglers sounded the ‘Last Post’. Later, PM Modi and other dignitaries will head to the saluting dais at Rajpath to witness the Republic Day parade.

    The celebrations this year are special as Republic Day falls in the 75th year of Independence, being celebrated as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ across the country. To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Defence has conceptualized a series of new events during the main parade on Rajpath on January 26 and the ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony at Vijay Chowk on January 29.

    It has been decided that the Republic Day celebrations will now be week-long from January 23-30 every year. This year, the celebrations commenced on January 23, the birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and culminate on January, 30 which is observed as Martyrs’ Day.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Amid border tensions with China, mega multi-agency military exercise conducted in Kutch

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India’s combat capability and readiness to confront any multi-dimensional security threat was elaborately tested at a four-day mega military exercise conducted in the Creek sector of the Kutch peninsula that concluded on Monday, military officials said.

    The Sagar Shakti exercise, held from November 19 to 22, witnessed participation of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, Border Security Force, Gujarat Police and the Marine Police, they said.

    The high-intensity exercise was organised by the Indian Army’s Southern Command and its primary aim was to test the combat readiness of the agencies in a real-time scenario, the officials said.

    They said the exercise involved the insertion of troops and complex manoeuvres by the forces in dealing with any possible security challenges in the domains of land, water and air simultaneously in an integrated manner.

    “Comprehensive coordination incorporating contemporary technology to include response mechanism in a multi-domain environment, real-time communication, and sharing of operational data to overcome emerging multi-dimensional threats were practised and honed,” a senior official said.

    The exercise was witnessed by the senior hierarchy of participating agencies.

    “This is the first time that an effective punch of a field training exercise has been packed in the response mechanism which functions under a robust Central Operation Room (COR) comprising troops of multiple forces,” the official said.

    “The integration and coordination achieved were apparent,” he added.

    The participating organisations deployed key assets in the exercise to simulate ways to combat various threats that India may face.

    The exercise comes at a time India has bolstered its maritime combat capability in view of evolving security scenarios in the Indian Ocean Region.

    The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical for India’s strategic interests.

    China has been making concerted efforts to increase its presence in the region.

    The Indian Navy has been ramping up its presence in the Indian Ocean to keep a hawk-eyed vigil over Chinese activities.

  • Cops say three killed during BSF op in Bengal, differs with paramilitary force on fatality count

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Three persons, including two Bangladeshi nationals, were killed along the Indo-Bangla border in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal on Friday during an operation by the BSF to thwart an alleged cattle smuggling bid, the police said.

    The BSF, however, asserted that two Bangladeshis were shot dead at Sitai in Coochbehar district in the early hours of Friday after they attacked a patrol party that stopped them from smuggling cattle, and there was “no clarity on the death of a third person”.

    The force also said that one of its personnel suffered injuries during the operation and had to be taken to a nearby hospital.

    The incident has triggered a political slugfest, with the ruling TMC accusing the BSF of letting loose a reign of terror following the enhancement of its jurisdiction from 15 to 50 km by the Centre.

    The ruling party said that it would move a resolution in the Assembly next week against this decision of the central government.

    “Three persons were killed during the incident. Two are suspected Bangladeshi nationals, and the third one is an Indian, a resident of the area. As per the preliminary investigation, all three died in the course of the same incident,” Sumit Kumar, the Cooch Behar superintendent of police, told PTI.

    He also said that the Indian national killed during the operation has been identified as Prakash Barman, and his body was found 700 meters away from the border.

    BSF Additional Director General Y B Khurania, however, claimed that only two Bangladeshis were killed during the incident.

    “As per our reports and preliminary investigation, only two persons, who are Bangladeshis, were killed. We have heard that one more body has been found, but it has no bullet injury. The body was found around 1 km away from the border. There is no clarity on the circumstances under which he died,” Khurania stated.

    According to the BSF, around 2 am, miscreants from both India and Bangladesh were trying to smuggle cattle by establishing improvised bamboo cantilevers on barbed wires.

    “Some 60 miscreants assembled on both sides of the border around 2 am. They tried to smuggle cattle by throwing improvised bamboo cantilevers on barbed wires. When a BSF patrol party tried to stop them, it was attacked with stones, iron rods and sticks,” Khurania explained.

    The Border Security Force (BSF) troops had also asked the miscreants to leave, but they did not pay heed, he said.

    The border guarding personnel then used non-lethal ammunition to stop their activities, but that too did not deter them, the ADG recounted.

    “Two BSF constables got surrounded and were badly hurt (by the miscreants). It was then that they opened fire in self-defence. They fired a few rounds in the air. Later it was found that two persons on that side of the border died in the firing,” Khurania said.

    Hitting out at the BSF, local TMC MLA Udayan Guha claimed that the force continues to “torture” people.

    “The Centre should control the BSF, otherwise terrible things are waiting to happen. The BSF is not supposed to kill anyone under any circumstance. This killing of an Indian proves the kind of atrocity they perpetrate in the bordering areas. This is why we opposed the enhancement of BSF’s jurisdiction,” the senior TMC leader contended.

    Echoing him, state parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee described the jurisdiction extension as a “direct attack on the country’s federal structure”.

    “Under Rule 185 of the Rules of Procedures of Conduct of Business of the House, we will bring in a resolution next week in the Assembly to discuss how enhancing the area of jurisdiction of the BSF is a direct attack on India’s federal structure,” Chatterjee said.

    The opposition BJP wondered what else the BSF personnel could have done upon being attacked by “lethal weapons”.

    “The BSF did the right thing by trying to foil attempts of cattle smuggling. The TMC has a habit of politicising every issue and maligning our security forces,” BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said.

    The ruling camp in Bengal, which has been opposing the Centre’s decision to enhance the BSF’s area of jurisdiction, has decided to bring in a resolution next week to oppose the decision.

    The BJP said it would oppose the move.

    West Bengal would be the second state after Punjab to bring in such a resolution.

    The Punjab Assembly had on Thursday adopted a resolution against the Centre’s decision, calling it an “insult” to the state police and seeking its withdrawal.

    In October, the Union home ministry expanded the area of jurisdiction under BSF from 15 km to 50 km from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam to curb crimes such as smuggling of drugs and ammunition, busting cattle smuggling rings and fake currency rackets.

    Friday’s incident took place hours before Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla held a meeting with senior state government officials in Kolkata over various border-related issues.

  • Extension of BSF’s jurisdiction attempt to interfere into federal structure: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

    By PTI

    SILIGURI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised the Centre’s move to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force, alleging that it is an attempt to interfere into the federal structure of the country.

    The BJP-led central government had amended the BSF Act to authorise the force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a larger 50 km stretch, instead of 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.

    Banerjee, however, said the state has no problems in the border areas.

    “About the BSF matter, we have sent a letter protesting the move. Earlier, they had jurisdiction of 15 km, there were incidents of firing in Balurghat or Cooch Behar. Now, they extended it to 50 km. This is an attempt to interfere into the federal structure of the country,” Banerjee said at an administrative review meeting here.

    “We do not have problems in the border areas and share very cordial relations (with neighbouring countries). There is no need to create this confusion. Law and order is a state subject. BSF must look after what they are responsible for and we will have total support for that,” she said.

    West Bengal shares an international border with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

    Banerjee had on Sunday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately withdraw the Union Home Ministry’s notification that extended the jurisdiction of BSF.

  • Punjab Police and BSF involve panchayats in anti-drone drive

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH: In the last two years, around 125 drones have been sighted in Punjab. Ten of those were shot down because they were from Pakistan to deliver weapons, explosives, ammunition and narcotics from across the border. Now, the Border Security Force and Punjab Police have started involving the panchayats in Punjab’s border villages to tackle issue of drones.

    Last month, there were a dozen drone sightings in which grenades and drugs were smuggled. Three drones from Pakistan, which tried to enter Indian territory on October 6, were fired at by BSF and retreated. In September, when sympathisers of the Khalistan Tiger Force were arrested, they confessed to smuggling weapons through drones from Pakistan.

    In August, a tiffin bomb packed with over 2kg of RDX and five hand grenades were found from Daleke village in Amritsar. Punjab Police claimed that the consignment was dropped by a drone from the neighbouring country. 

    A senior police official said the state police and BSF are holding meetings with panchayats which fall within five kilometres of the Indo-Pak border and asking them to share information if they spot any flying object. Sources said radars cannot spot the drones as they fly at a height of 300 to 400 metres, mostly at night hours. These  can carry five to seven kilograms of weight.

    Last December, Punjab Police seized 11 hand grenades hidden in a box attached to a wooden frame in a field in Salach village in Gurdaspur. BSF had seen the movement of a drone on the intervening night of December 19 and 20.

    In August 2019, the first incident of drones dropping weapons, including AK 47 rifles, from Pakistan was reported. Sources said Punjab Police is considering buying anti-drone equipment from Israel to detect such devices and jam communications between them and their operators. However, such  equipment is very expensive and the state police felt they should be procured by the Centre. But there has been no development on this front and the police is still sans equipment. 

  • Row over extending BSF jurisdiction escalates, Oppn parties flay Centre

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: The row over the Centre’s decision to extend the Border Security Force’s jurisdiction in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam is escalating, with the Opposition parties including the Congress on Thursday alleging that it was a design to dilute federalism and an infringement on the rights of the state.

    The Congress, which is in power in Punjab, described the Centre’s decision as a “concerted attack” on constitutionalism while the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal claimed the decision was made without consulting the state government and demanded the withdrawal of the notification.

    “There is a designed conspiracy to dilute and abolish federalism,” said Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

    The AAP, too, flayed the Centre’s move as “dictatorship”, and said states should have been consulted before taking the decision. In poll-bound Punjab, politics is heating up over the matter. SAD leaders, including party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, were briefly detained by police in Chandigarh while trying to march towards the governor’s residence to protest the decision.

    The state government has already appealed to the Centre to withdraw the notification empowering the BSF to carry out searches and arrests and make seizures up to an area of 50 km from the border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

    On Thursday, Punjab cabinet minister and former hockey Olympian Pargat Singh alleged former chief minister Amarinder Singh’s hand behind the move. Amarinder had supported the decision saying it was in national interest and politics should not be played over it.

    “What is Amarinder trying to prove?…We respect you a lot so please do not do this…The centre’s decision is akin to taking over half of Punjab.” Sources in Punjab Police said while key towns and cities will  be covered by the order, the power to probe cross-border crimes will remain with them.

    Border cities coveredFor cross-border crimes, BSF could carry out searches up to 15 km of IB earlier that was mainly in villages. With this 50 km now, key towns/cities in districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Ferozepur will be covered

  • BSF foils bid to bring in weapons from Pakistan along IB, big cache of arms seized

    By PTI

    JAMMU: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday foiled a major bid by terrorists to smuggle in weapons from Pakistan along the International Border (IB) and seized a big cache of arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district, officials said.

    “The BSF, Jammu today foiled a weapon smuggling attempt from across the International Border in Samba area and seized a big cache of arms and ammunition,” BSF DIG S P S Sandhu said.

    He further said the seizure by BSF troops included four pistols, eight pistol magazines and 232 rounds of ammunition.

    The DIG said further details are expected to follow.

    There have been several incidents of weapons and narcotic smuggling attempts done by cross-border terrorists to drop weapons on this side of the border through drones over the past six months.

    It may be recalled that an arms consignment including one AK assault rifle, three magazines and 30 rounds believed to have been dropped by a drone from Pakistan had been recovered last Saturday by police near the International Border from Sounjana village of Phalain Mandal, about six km from the IB.

    On September 27, BSF recovered four pistols, eight magazines, 100 rounds of ammunition, a packet of narcotics weighing about one kg along with fake Indian currency worth Rs 2,75,000, from the International Border in Akhnoor sector of Jammu district, officials said.