GUWAHATI, Oct 26 � The Border Security Force (BSF) is exploring the possibility of looking for technological solutions to improve guarding of the international borders of the country. Meanwhile, new battalions of the BSF are also being raised to increase deployment along the borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, Director General of the BSF, DK Pathak said that a committee of technical experts has already been formed to examine the available technology. Global tenders have been floated and many Indian and multinational companies have already exhibited their products. The expert committee will now examine what technology would be useful for the border guarding force. Pathak pointed out that different products of technology would be required for different areas and the expert committee would also examine this aspect. He expressed the hope that the use of modern technology would be of immense help to the BSF in plugging the vulnerable sections of the international borders.
The DG admitted that the unfenced areas along the international borders are considered most vulnerable as it is not easy for the infiltrators and elements of anti-India forces to sneak into the country through the fenced borders. He said the international riverine border with Bangladesh is also considered vulnerable. �However, with use of modern technology, the troops would be able to get information immediately whenever anyone crosses the riverine border and with the available speed boats, such persons would be intercepted,� he added.
At present, the distance between the border outposts of the BSF along the Indo-Bangla border is around three kilometres and Pathak said that though the efforts are always made to overcome the problem with regular patrolling, increase of deployment of forces would definitely help in checking infiltration. He said that to increase deployment, new battalions of the BSF are being raised and the process would be completed by the year 2016-17.
The BSF DG said that the process of acquiring choppers for the border guarding force has also been started. He said that apart from other jobs, the choppers would also be used for surveillance of the vulnerable patches of international borders.
On the activities of the members of the Jamaat-ul-Mujaheedin, Bangladesh (JMB) in India, Pathak said that the BSF is working in close coordination with the other investigating agencies including the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He said that surveillance along the vulnerable areas along the Indo-Bangla border areas has been increased and senior officers are camping in the fields, particularly near the unfenced areas of the border. �We are also providing all necessary assistance to the NIA in the investigation of the case,� he added.
On the difference in guarding the international borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan, the DG, BSF pointed out that the border with Bangladesh is not a hostile one, which is not the case along the border with Pakistan. He pointed out that at present, India has very good relation with Bangladesh. The BSF and the Border Guards, Bangladesh (BGB) are maintaining very cordial relation. �There are problems of smuggling and attempts by bad elements to infiltrate. But we share such information with the BGB as such elements also create problems in Bangladesh,� he added. At the same time, he said that the situation is totally different along the border with Pakistan. The border with Pakistan is considered a hostile border and there have been frequent incidents of firing from across the border, he added.
