Srinagar, Feb 25, KNT: The Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified security measures along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab and Jammu, deploying additional personnel and setting up tactical headquarters to curb infiltration and drone-based smuggling, official sources said on Monday.
According to sources, the BSF’s Western Command, headquartered in Chandigarh, has ordered the establishment of nine forward-based “tactical headquarters” in these regions. These hubs, equipped with advanced intelligence and operational resources, will be monitored by a newly established control room.
A tactical headquarters, positioned near border posts and ahead of battalion bases, will be manned by senior commanders from various operational verticals, including the battalion’s commanding officer (CO), ensuring swift response to security threats.
To strengthen surveillance, the BSF has also directed the redeployment of maximum available personnel from battalion headquarters to border posts. These reinforcements are aimed at countering persistent threats of cross-border infiltration and drone incursions from Pakistan, sources added.
A senior official in Punjab confirmed that these measures were implemented last week due to the increasing vulnerability of border areas. However, concerns have been raised over the continuous presence of commanding officers at tactical headquarters, as they oversee multiple units across different locations and require mobility for effective command and administration.
The BSF is responsible for securing the 2,289-km-long India-Pakistan International Border, spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Of this, the Punjab frontier covers 553 km, while the Jammu sector guards 191.66 km, including a stretch along the Line of Control (LoC).
In 2023, the BSF in Punjab intercepted 294 drones, most of them Chinese-made, and seized approximately 283 kg of heroin. The force also neutralized four Pakistani intruders and apprehended 161 Indian smugglers along with 30 Pakistani nationals attempting to infiltrate.
The enhanced security measures underscore the BSF’s commitment to tackling evolving threats along the border, ensuring national security amid rising cross-border challenges.
