Author: Gopal Sharma
Publication: Daily Excelsior
Date: April 9, 2003
URL: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/03apr09/news.htm#4
Intensifying its task of fencing
along the 187.5 km International Border (IB) in Jammu sector, the Border
Security Force has set a target of clearing about 100 kms area by next
two months.
Inspector General of Border Security
Force Jammu Frontier, Mr Dilip Trivedi told Excelsior that over 50 percent
of the work on this challenging project taken in hand by the BSF along
the Indo-Pak border will be completed by ending June this year. Despite
continuous firing by the Pakistani Rangers on the men engaged in the project,
the task of execution of work like erecting pillars, digging, wrapping
barbed wire etc. is going on uninterrupted.
About one fourth of the work, which
comes out to be around 40 to 45 kms fencing was completed by the first
week of January this year. The concerned BSF battalions along the IB have
given some specific area of operation and they are responsible for carrying
on the fencing task in their own areas. They are equally responsible for
the protection of the men and labourers engaged at work. They have been
provided the modern gadgets and bullet proof-sheets, tractors etc. for
executing the work smoothly.
Responding to a question, Mr Trivedi
said that the BSF took over the project from the CPWD in January 2000 and
it would cost Rs 70 crores to fence the International Border which runs
from Paharpur BOP, bordering Punjab to Brahmanbela in Akhnoor. He claimed
that there was no respite in the Pakistani firing and its efforts to disrupt
the task are still going as it never wanted the successful completion of
the project. Because, there will be definitely sharp decline in the infiltration
of militants from Pakistani side to our territory after fencing of IB,
he added.
It may be recalled that fencing
work was initially allotted to CPWD, but due to heavy firing from the Pakistani
side, they abandoned the work. The Government of India then decided to
go ahead with its task and handed over the assignment to the BSF on January
14, 2000. Learning a lot from its fencing experience in Punjab, the BSF
improved its design, including creating concrete platform and also raising
bunds. Tactically it proved fruitful to the BSF units patrolling their
respective areas without being noticed by the enemy troops along the border.
Initially, there was problem from
the labour side and after the first stretch of 15 kms was completed, local
labour started coming up for seeking work. About 45 kms of fencing has
almost been completed and seven battalions of BSF along the International
Border have been assigned the task of executing fencing work. Each Battalion
has been provided funds for this task and they are carrying on their job
separately.
Responding to a question, Mr Trivedi
said that firing from across the border has not reduced but instead increased
post Kaluchak incident of last summer. He, however, expressed hope that
there will be no let up in the fencing work despite desperate attempts
being made by Pakistani Rangers to stall the fencing activity.
He disclosed that a large number
of militants are still operating in Rajouri, Budhal, Darhal, Gool, Gulabgarh
areas of the region where battalions of BSF are deployed for the counter
insurgency operations. In reply to yet another question, Mr Trivedi said
after spurt in militancy related incidents in Mahore and Rajouri recently,
the BSF companies deployed for CI duty continued to operate with the same
strength and no such decision has been taken to further increase the force
in the depth areas.
