Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 25: Acting swiftly, the Border Security Force (BSF) has restored about six kilometers fencing damaged in patches along 190 kilometers International Border (IB) in Jammu sector and repaired all 18 border posts, which were badly affected in the recent floods.
“All 18 border posts of the BSF including 10 damaged by the waters of Tawi river in Jammu district, four affected badly by the waters of Basantar river in Samba and Kathua districts and four by Chenab waters in Pargwal area of Akhnoor sector have been repaired and restored within the minimum possible time,’’ official sources told the Excelsior.
For about 20 days, the BSF had intensified manual patrolling at all the places, where the border fencing had been damaged. This, sources said, had been done to ensure that the militants didn’t manage to take advantage of damage caused to border fencing to infiltrate into this side.
About six kilometers border fencing in the patches of 50 meters to 500 meters had been damaged in the heavy floods. Apart from fencing, 18 BSF posts had suffered extensive damage in the floods, though they hadn’t been washed away, sources said, adding that the BSF jawans worked on war footing to repair and restore damaged fencing and posts.
Sources said that additional manpower has been deployed to keep enhanced vigilance and guard along the borderline with Pakistan.
“The fencing where damage has occurred, BSF has restored it through replenishment of its stores and little bit more damage, what-ever it is, has been strengthened through its additional manpower,” sources said.
In the riverine areas of IB in Jammu frontier, improvised fencing including crate of concertina wires, bared wires and iron boxes have been put up by BSF itself as part of anti- infiltration obstacle system in view of the fact that no constructions can take place in these belts.
In these areas, BSF men and electronic surveillance systems remain on tenter-hooks to ensure the round-the-clock vigilance and monitoring of IB by undertaking intensified manually patrolling.
“This improvised fencing was immediately restored by BSF,” sources said, adding, “there is water in places and our boys are patrolling the areas as enhanced vigilance”.
“Almost entire damaged border fencing has been restored. Flood lightening in 178 km area is functional. Only two poles of Flood lightening setup have developed snap which is being corrected,” sources said.
All the posts after flood water got receded have been fully occupied by the troops, they said.
Meanwhile, BSF and Pakistan Rangers held a casual contact flag meeting at Chamblayal in Ramgarh sector of Samba district today and discussed issues especially the cutting down of wild grass grown up along the International Border to enhance the visibility for guarding the line.
According to sources, a flag meeting between BSF and Pakistan Rangers commenced at around 12.30 am and continued for about an hour.
The six-member Indian side was represented by Second-in-Command 200 BSF Sukhjit Singh Banger while the team of Pakistan Rangers was headed by Mohammed Ali, Wing Commander 12 Chenab.
The meeting was held in cordial manner and discussed the cutting of wild weed (Sarkanda) growth along the IB to enhance the visibility along border.
Earlier in the backdrop of the ceasefire violations when Pakistan Rangers were targeting civilian areas and BoPs, two sides had held series of flag meeting including Commandant-Level to impress upon each other to respect the ceasefire.
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