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The Border Security Force (BSF) has ramped up security along the India-Bangladesh border in response to rising infiltration attempts and increasing border tensions. Special DG Ravi Gandhi has issued detailed instructions to enhance security measures, with a focus on strengthening intelligence-gathering mechanisms and expanding the presence of BSF personnel in villages near the border. These directives are aimed at improving surveillance, ensuring better monitoring of border movements, and preventing illegal crossings.
The BSF’s Eastern Command, responsible for securing the 4,096-kilometer-long India-Bangladesh border, has been facing increased challenges, particularly in regions such as Cooch Behar, Tripura, and Assam. The border outposts in these areas have seen heightened activity, with at least 14 reported incidents of gunfire in the past ten days. Over 50 infiltrators have been apprehended during this period. The growing number of infiltration attempts has raised serious concerns within the BSF, especially regarding the role of local agents, referred to as “dalals,” who facilitate the movement of infiltrators through unprotected or less-monitored parts of the border. These agents, often operating under the cover of darkness or during foggy weather, significantly complicate the BSF's efforts to prevent infiltration.
The BSF is also focusing on improving its operational readiness in these high-risk areas by expanding its network of sources within the local population. This includes increasing informant presence in the border-adjacent villages to gather real-time intelligence on potential infiltration activities. Special DG Ravi Gandhi emphasized the need for vigilance in these regions, underlining that border security personnel must act swiftly and decisively if an armed attack or infiltration is detected.
Alongside intelligence gathering, the BSF has also been instructed to be fully prepared to use force in response to armed infiltrators. Gandhi has emphasized that BSF personnel should not hesitate to retaliate if confronted with armed infiltration, as national security must take precedence. He reiterated the importance of preventing any illegal entry into India, making it clear that the defense of the nation’s borders must be uncompromising.
To bolster these measures, the BSF is also exploring technological advancements and improved surveillance systems. Efforts to upgrade these systems will enhance the force’s ability to detect and respond to infiltration attempts more effectively. Additionally, the government has directed the BSF to enhance coordination with state police forces to address issues related to local criminal elements and ensure a unified approach to border security. These steps are part of a larger initiative to modernize border defense strategies and improve the overall security of the India-Bangladesh frontier.