On 11th December 2023, Border Security Force Western Command, Chandigarh organized an “Annual Press Conference” at BSF Campus Chandigarh to highlight the various aspects of border management along Indo-Pak border.
While addressing the representatives of national/regional media houses, Sh Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, IPS, Special DG BSF Western Command informed that on 01 December 1965, the Border Security Force was raised as the ‘First Line of Defense’, initially with 25 Battalions only. Now the Force has evolved as world’s largest Border Guarding Force with an Air Wing, Water Wing, Artillery regiments with a strength of more than 2.65 lakh brave men and women deployed on Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh Borders. As far as Western Command Chandigarh is concerned, it is responsible for effective border management on Indo-Pakistan border with 05 Frontiers such as Kashmir, Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat besides 03 Subsidiary Training Centers.
Despite tough terrain and harsh climatic conditions, BSF troops have effectively been dominating border, preventing and detecting trans-border crimes such as infiltration/ exfiltration, smuggling of narcotics, arms/ammunition, etc.
Highlighting BSF effort of foiling nefarious designs of adversaries, Special DG apprised that in the year 2023, a total of 755 Kgs of narcotic items, 15 numbers of assorted rifles and 38 pistols were seized by BSF during various Ops besides apprehending 36 Pakistani national and neutralizing 09 Pakistani intruders along the IB/LC. During the year, BSF has also recovered 95 drones during various search operations launched in the border areas which is much higher than the previous years.
With the enhancement of jurisdiction of BSF from 15 to 50 Kms in the state of Punjab by Ministry of Home Affairs, BSF has increased the domination in the hinterland by frequent vehicle patrolling, establishment of temporary posts, laying of ambushes/nakas, mobile check posts in conjunction with Punjab Police that has successfully resulted in prevention of illegal activities of Anti National Elements.
In addition to the core responsibility of securing the borders of the country, BSF troops under Western Command have also been helping border population during floods and other natural calamities. In the recent monsoon season when border districts of Ferozepur and Abohar were inundated with floods due to incessant rainfall and overflow of water from Ravi and Sutlej rivers, BSF troops carried out 10 major rescue operations and evacuated approx. 2000 people to safer places. Troops of 18 Bn BSF and Water Wing Bhuj also played pro-active role during severe cyclonic storm “Biporjoy” and shifted 150 villagers of Thumari, Gunao and Walawariwand village to BSF border out posts. During the year 2023, BSF has also organized 39 Medical Camps in the bordering areas of Kashmir, Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat besides conducing skill development programmes, pre recruitment training for youth and sports tournaments for the border population.
