After Army chief, ADG BSF visits border areas
*Winter, foggy conditions no challenge: IG BSF
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 13: As snowfall in next few days will close some of the infiltration routes in Baramulla and Kupwara districts in Kashmir and Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu region, focus of security agencies has shifted to plug infiltration along the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts as Pakistan could take to plains to push terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Few days back, Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi undertook a visit to Kathua-Pathankot International Border to take review of anti-infiltration measures amid reports that Pakistan could attempt to push terrorists not only from the International Border in Jammu sector but also neighbouring Punjab border.
Today, Additional Director General of BSF Western Command Satish S Khandare held high-level review of security situation along the International Border with Pakistan, here.
Jammu, Samba and Kathua share International Border (IB) with Pakistan while neighbouring Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab besides other areas have large boundary with the neighbouring country.
There have been reports that following heightened security along the IB in Jammu sector with deployment of additional BSF jawans, Pakistan army could try to push infiltrators through Punjab borders. Accordingly, Anti-Infiltration Grid is also being strengthened in Punjab, the officials told the Excelsior.
“Pakistan could try to exploit infiltration routes along the International Border during winters as snowfall will close most of such passes along the Line of Control in Baramulla, Kupwara, Rajouri and Poonch districts,” the officials said, adding several infiltration attempts by the terrorists have been thwarted on the LoC in the past.
Meanwhile, Additional DG BSF Western Command Satish S Khandare reviewed the security situation along the International Border with Pakistan here. He visited border areas in Jammu and was briefed on the operational aspects by the Field Commanders.
The border guarding force deployed along the IB in the Jammu sector besides some parts of the Line of Control (LoC) is on high alert to ensure zero infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from across the border, officials said.
Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier, D K Boora and other senior officers received Khandare and accompanied him during his visit to the border areas in the Jammu sector.
The ADG, Western Command, chaired a high-level meeting at the BSF headquarters and was briefed on the operational aspects by the Field Commanders.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Rajouri, IG BSF Jammu Frontiers, DK Boora said security forces are fully alert to counter possible infiltration attempts by terrorists and a strong protection grid is in place to deal with any challenge.
Even if the terrorists manage to infiltrate from anywhere, there are measures in place to neutralise them before they reach the hinterland, he said responding to queries on intelligence reports about stepped-up activities on the terror launch pads along the LoC and IB with Pakistan.
Boora was accompanying BSF’s Additional Director General of Western Command Satish S Khandare to the border district of Rajouri to flag off a group of local students for a 10-day ‘Bharat Darshan’ tour organised by the 54th battalion of the force.
“Our neighbouring country (Pakistan) always tries to push terrorists. I want to assure the people that our protection grid (on the borders) is very strong, laced with modern weapons and adequate manpower. No attempt of infiltration will be allowed and the borders will be kept fully safe,” Boora said.
On winter setting-in leading to foggy weather conditions in next few days, the IG BSF said it was nothing new.
He said there is no challenge as winter comes every year and also foggy conditions.
“All our forces (deployed on the border and in the hinterland) are fully alert to counter any threat. Every year, the situation is reviewed and, accordingly, measures taken so it is not a new thing which is happening for the first time,” Boora said.
On use of drones by Pakistan to smuggle weapons and narcotics, he said adequate measures have already been taken in this regard.
Answering another question about the number of terrorists suspected to be waiting for an opportunity to cross into this side, he said, “We do not go for head counting but our endeavour remains that nobody is able to infiltrate into this side.
“Whether there are 10 or 20, it does not mean anything to us. Our principle is that nobody is able to cross the border and ensure zero infiltration,” he said.
“Even if the terrorists manage to infiltrate from anywhere, there are measures in place to neutralise them before they reach the hinterland. There is coordination among all the forces and intelligence agencies and we are fully geared up to meet any challenge,” the BSF officer said.
Asked about the installation of high-tech cameras in the forward areas, he refused to divulge any information.
“You stay relaxed and be assured that all measures are in place. Government has made available all resources and a close watch will be kept so that there is no infiltration,” he said.
On the recent encounter in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu where three terrorists were killed and an earlier encounter in Kathua where two terrorists were eliminated, he said such incidents show that the security forces are working in close coordination.
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