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Introduction: Several Pak terrorists waiting at launching pads along border
Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) Ajay Raj Sharma has hoped that the cross border terrorism and infiltration will experience a sharp decline after the fencing of International Border by the BSF and with the similar type of arrangements along the Line of Control (LoC) by Army.
Addressing a press conference here this evening, the DG said that during his visit to some forward locations in Samba, he was satisfied with the pace of fencing work going on along the International Border. He disclosed that fencing along 70 kms has already been completed and if the pace of work continues in the samilar manner, the task of fencing IB in Jammu sector will be completed before the scheduled time.
Referring to the fencing along the other border belts of J&K, Mr Sharma said that 16 Corps is also planning to initiate some similar type of arrangements to contain infiltration. There is immediate need to plug some vulnerable infiltration routes. And if the task is initiated, there will be a massive decline in the level of militancy in the Jammu and Kashmir.
"There will be no need of censors or other costly detective gadgets if these two major tasks are accomplished to contain terrorism in this part of the region," the DG said adding that this experiment has proved very fruitful in Punjab and Rajasthan whose borders were supposed to be very notorious in smuggling activities. In Punjab border, especially in Ajnala and Amritsar belt, the smuggling activities across the border have been almost neutralized.
The DG further said that BSF battalions deployed along the Jammu border besides security of the IB, were assigned the task of fencing and despite intense firing and opposition by the Pakistani Rangers, our soldiers carried on the job uninterrupted. They were provided bullet- proof bulldozers and excavators fitted with the air-conditioners to work even during scorching heat of the sun. They were also targeted by Pak Rangers and damaged. Several jawans fell victims to the enemy bullets. To avoid this, bunds ranging from 10 to 15 feet were raised along the border and it enabled the BSF men to carry on the task uninterrupted. But the BSF machines and tractors during operation are being targeted repeatedly by enemy troops.
He said the work which was taken up in January 2001 is expected to be completed in next two years. The work went on in slow pace for about two months during elections as several companies had been pulled out for the security arrangements. At present, seven battalions are engaged for the fencing and security along 187.5 kms International Border, he added.
Responding to another question, the DG said that BSF and ITBP should be kept for task of border security and management. It should be allowed to discharge its duties for which it is ment. Several battalions are also deployed on the IS duty and the force is performing excellently and eliminated a large number of terrorists. Replying to yet another question, Mr Sharma said several groups of terrorists are waiting at the launching pads to cross over to this side and they will try their best to get succeeded in their game plan and for this forces are needed to be at high alert. The BSF is already over stretched and more forces are required for the border management in this part of the region. At this juncture, the forces should not be shifted from Nadimarg or other locations and after the melting of snow, the snow bound infiltration routes at the higher passes also become active. So there, is a need to remain more and more cautious.
While commenting on the recent recovery of Afghan currency from Poonch area, the DG said that a large number of foreign militants reported to have intruded into this side. Some of them might be of Afghan origin but there are no such reports that a large number of Talibans and Afghan terrorists have intruded into J&K after attack by United States in Afghanistan and subsequent shifting of terrorists in Pakistan and PoK.
In response to another question, the BSF DG said that he was proceeding to Dhaka with high level delegation to discuss the border issue with Bangladesh Rifles and other agencies on 27 of this month. "We have already fenced 1000 kms Bangla border but the area is very vast (About 4900 kms) as compared to border with Pakistan. The issue related to repatriation of Bangladesh nationals will also be taken up during this meet, he maintained.
IG BSF Jammu Frontier, Mr Dilip
Trivedi and the new IG BSF Baramulla- Kupwara Frontier, Mr Ravi Sharma
were also present in the conference.
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