The Quint has learnt from top sources in the Border Security Force (BSF) that as an after measure, following the Pathankot terror attack, the BSF is on toes to strengthen security at the International Border (IB) along Punjab. The IB stretches along approx. 2000 km on the Pakistan side, out of which 553 km is along Punjab, including land and riverine area.
Top Official, Border Security ForceNow our orientation has changed from anti-drug trafficking to anti infiltration at the border. We are doing the best to protect the border. We have augmented resources, in terms of manpower and technology.
Laser Fencing on Riverine Points
While the mystery on the route taken by the terrorists who attacked the Pathankot air base is still unsolved, guarding riverine areas is on the priority list of the BSF. There are 60 riverine points on the IB along the state of Punjab. According to the BSF, these constitute the most vulnerable patches. The BSF will now establish Laser Fencing along these areas, so that if anybody tries to cross the border illegally, an alarm will go off.
The budget has been approved by the government and the work has already commenced. Laser Fencing will eliminate the chances of human error in allowing terrorists to infiltrate from Pakistan. The Ujj river at Bamiyal border, the point suspected to be used by the terrorists, was properly covered with net underneath the water.
Top Official, Border Security ForceWe have laser fencing on the IB in Jammu sector because infiltration had been a problem there for years. But it wasn’t so in Punjab. After the Pathankot attack, without wasting further time, we immediately began work. We had proposed laser fencing on IB in Punjab sector months ago, but it got stuck in files and bureaucracy.
The BSF has foiled 69 infiltration attempts in Jammu in 2015. According to the top official, it is highly possible that the route taken by the six terrorists was one of the riverine points.
Smart Fencing in Land Areas
The BSF is also mulling on putting up Smart Fencing on the IB, which is a combination of ‘motion-sensors, CCTV cameras, thermal imaging devices, manpower etc.’ According to the top official, smart fencing will incur a cost of Rs 4000-5000 crore. A pilot project for Smart Fencing 100 km of border land has already been initiated in Punjab and Jammu.
Top Official, Border Security ForcePutting up Smart Fencing is a long process. and may take years for proper implementation. Tenders have been floated inviting supply of modern technology.
Smart Fencing will result in three-four tier protection, and would make it much more difficult for terrorists to infiltrate the border.
Surveillance on BSF Jawans to Control Corruption
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Increase of corrupt practices among BSF jawans continues to be a cause of concern for top officials. To deal with the situation, the BSF has now begun severe surveillance. Jawans are not allowed to carry cell phones when they resumes their duty, so that they cannot communicate with anyone on the border. According to the top official, if anybody is caught up in any corrupt practice, he will be suspended immediately, dismissed from his job, and imprisoned if convicted.
Top Official, Border Security ForceNo measure is foolproof. It is very difficult for us to ensure that no one is involved in corruption. But we are trying our best.
In fact, an internal inquiry was set up by the BSF after the Pathankot terror attack to probe whether any jawan was compromised. The official did not rule out the involvement of a BSF jawan completely as the final inquiry report is still awaited.
According to the top official, 1200 BSF jawans were deployed over a stretch of 553 km on the IB in Punjab. But now the manpower has been doubled, though the officer was reluctant in giving away exact numbers. The BSF is also planning to increase the number of trained dogs at every check points.
Drug Trafficking Menace on the IB Along Punjab
The BSF claims that in the year 2015 they seized 350 kg of drugs at the IB. According to the top official, BSF alone cannot stop this menace without the assistance of Punjab Police, customs and the Narcotics Bureau.
But one question remains – how effectively do we implement and maintain modern technology, because after the Pathankot terror attack, it was found that thermal images on many CCTV cameras installed at the IB were not functioning properly.
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