The announcement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah about deploying an electronic surveillance system along India’s international borders signals a significant and much-needed shift in border security strategy. As infiltration attempts by terrorists become more sophisticated, the Central Government’s move to integrate technology for detecting cross-border tunnels is both timely and crucial. With the loss of four police personnel in Kathua during an encounter with infiltrating terrorists just days before Shah’s visit, the urgency of fortifying India’s borders cannot be overstated.
While Jammu and Kashmir is often viewed collectively as a sensitive border region, it is crucial to recognize that Kashmir Valley shares very limited direct border connectivity with Pakistan. In contrast, the Jammu division bears the brunt of infiltration attempts, as it has the most viable terrain for cross-border intrusion. The region’s geography-with its dense forests, rivulets, gorges, and ravines-provides an ideal landscape for infiltrators to establish temporary hideouts or ‘base camps.’ These camps serve as initial safe zones before terrorists disperse deeper into the region, and in many cases, make their way to the Kashmir Valley.
Despite persistent vigilance and robust patrolling by the BSF and Indian Army, the physical gaps along the border-owing to terrain complexity-continue to be exploited by infiltrators. The challenge has been compounded by the use of advanced tools and technology, with cross-border tunnels emerging as the preferred infiltration method. These underground routes allow militants to bypass heavily fortified zones, slipping into Indian territory undetected until they are well within civilian areas. Alarmingly, terrorism is no longer confined to isolated pockets but has now extended its reach to all ten districts of the Jammu division. This expanding footprint indicates that the old, conventional strategies may no longer suffice. There is an urgent need for innovative, out-of-the-box approaches to counter this evolving threat landscape.
More than 26 technology-related initiatives are reportedly under testing, including anti-drone systems, with two models of tunnel detection surveillance systems already developed. These innovations are expected to be operational by March next year, and their implementation could drastically alter India’s defensive posture. The critical component in modern border security is early detection. Electronic systems that utilize seismic sensors, ground-penetrating radar, and infrared imaging have proven effective globally and can provide actionable intelligence to security personnel before an infiltration attempt even occurs.
The incident in Kathua, coupled with recurring attempts to breach security, highlights the immediate need for a transformative approach to national border defence. In this context, the Government’s recent focus on plugging critical security gaps-especially through the deployment of electronic surveillance systems-is a highly commendable move. However, technology alone cannot address the full spectrum of the problem. Equally pressing is the need to dismantle the internal support ecosystem that allows terrorists to survive and operate post-infiltration. The nexus between terrorists, over ground workers, and the increasingly troubling presence of underground workers serves as a lifeline for infiltrators once they enter Indian territory. These individuals provide logistical support, shelter, intelligence, and resources, enabling terrorists to evade detection and carry out attacks. Breaking this internal nexus is as critical as securing the border itself.
Hence, a two-pronged approach is essential. On the one hand, we must seal the border gaps using cutting-edge surveillance technologies, drone monitoring, and tunnel-detection systems. On the other, there must be a sustained and aggressive crackdown on local networks that aid and abet terrorism. Intelligence gathering, community engagement, cyber-monitoring, and stricter enforcement of anti-terror laws must be part of a broader counterinsurgency strategy.
Unless the Government simultaneously addresses both external infiltration and internal facilitation, the scourge of terrorism will continue to fester. A secure border is only one half of the equation; the other half lies in neutralizing the invisible enemies within-those who undermine national security from inside our communities. To truly defeat terrorism, India must adopt a holistic security strategy-one that is proactive, adaptive, and uncompromising in both border management and internal stabilization.
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