Rajnath Singh to BSF: Act tough towards security on borders
Rajnath directs to seal vulnerable points attached to Pakistan border
Rajnath Singh to BSF: Act tough towards security on borders:- Rajnath Singh, the Home Minister on Tuesday has reviewed the working of the Border Security Force and the home minister has also directed it to set up a real-time intelligence sharing grid and further seal all vulnerable points along the Pakistan border.
This meeting was attended by his top officials of the Home Ministry and the Border Security Force, which guards Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.
The meeting had reviewed the overall functioning of the BSF, besides the gaps and lapses in border guarding and also discussed how to further plug them as the Home Minister have also expressed concern over the infiltration from across the International Border and the Line of Control.
Upgrading the existing border outposts
Further, the issues of upgrading existing border outposts on the par with composite BOPs, construction of advance fiber reinforced polymer shelters on high-altitude, acquisition of land for newly sanctioned battalions at old norms, forward-defended localities on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir were the topics discussed.
Evolving the BSF Air Wing as a self-regulatory establishment on the lines of Coast Guard was also flagged for discussion at the meeting. In this regard the comments have been invited from the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Defence and Coast Guard.
A high-power committee, which was headed by former Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, has flagged gaps in the fencing and vulnerability along the Pakistan border and there were suggestions given that technology should be used and vigil strengthened on riverine frontiers.
This committee had been set up three months after the Pathankot airbase attack in order to suggest ways to further strengthen security along the border with Pakistan and address the vulnerability in fencing.
While referring to the Bangladesh border, the Home Minister has asked the BSF to ensure that smuggling of cattle and narcotics was stopped. India shares a 4,096 km-long border with Bangladesh.
‘Battle Casualty’ status
At the meeting, the Minister has also approved the demand of the paramilitary force to further issue “Battle Casualty” certificate to those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, at par with the Army. It will also ensure the benefits like pension equivalent to the last drawn salary and petrol pumps to the kin of those killed in counter-insurgency duties.
