BSF Boosts Security on Punjab-Jammu Border Amid Rising Terror Threats

GG News Bureau
Jalandhar, 10th August. The Border Security Force (BSF) has significantly increased its manpower and deployed extensive CCTV coverage along the Punjab-Jammu inter-state border in response to a surge in terrorist activities along the India-Pakistan frontier in Jammu, according to Punjab Frontier Inspector General Atul Fulzele.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, IG Fulzele revealed that additional troops have been stationed in the Gurdaspur area of Pathankot district, adjacent to Jammu. “We used to have linear deployment here, but now we have established deep nakas (posts) with increased personnel and numerous CCTV installations. We are fully vigilant in this region,” he stated.

The bolstered security comes in the wake of escalating terrorist incidents in Jammu, resulting in the deaths of over 20 security personnel and civilians in recent months. The BSF has also focused on monitoring the Ravi and Sutlej river areas with extensive CCTV coverage.

Recently, the Union Home Ministry ordered the redeployment of two BSF battalions from Odisha to the Jammu and Punjab-Jammu border.

Regarding cross-border smuggling, IG Fulzele noted that narcotics smuggling into Punjab has shifted from land routes to aerial routes via drones. He emphasized that the use of drones for smuggling requires “tacit understanding and approval of state-sponsored elements and authorities” in Pakistan.

“All cross-border drugs entering Punjab now come through drones. The traditional land-based smuggling methods are almost negligible,” IG Fulzele explained. He added that since October last year, smaller, quieter drones have been increasingly used to transport drugs, arms, and ammunition into India.

The BSF has adopted new strategies to trace and intercept these drones, successfully recovering several along with their contraband payloads. Despite their efforts, some drones may escape detection due to their high-altitude flights, but the BSF is leveraging both technology and manpower to address the challenge.

In light of recent developments in Bangladesh and the approaching Independence Day celebrations, the BSF is implementing “operations alert” mode across the 553 km Punjab border from August 10.

This year, the BSF Punjab Frontier has seized over 160 kg of heroin, 28 weapons, 40 magazines, and 374 bullet rounds. They have apprehended 24 Pakistani nationals, of which 12 were handed back to Pakistan Rangers. Additionally, one intruder from Pakistan was killed during the year.

The BSF is responsible for securing more than 2,289 km of the India-Pakistan border, spanning Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat along India’s western flank.