Launches Rs 249 cr BSF infra projects
Jammu, Feb 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday visited the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir and paid tributes to martyred police personnel, besides handing over compassionate appointment letters to the next of kin of police martyrs.
Addressing Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the international border outposts in Kathua district, the Union Home Minister emphasised the need to strengthen border security through modern tools, while underlining that constant vigilance by frontline personnel remains crucial.
“Emerging challenges driven by advanced technology must be countered with equally advanced technological solutions,” HM Shah said.
He also lauded the role of the armed forces during Operation Sindoor, during which the Jammu frontier destroyed 118 enemy posts and three terror launch pads across the border.
He said the government and the BSF share the common objective of keeping the country’s borders secure, adding that the challenges faced earlier were completely different from those being faced today.
“The challenges we faced at the borders some years ago are completely different from the challenges we face today. Your dedication to remaining constantly vigilant on the frontlines is extremely important. However, as challenges are emerging through advanced technology, we must also find technological solutions to counter them,” the Home Minister said.
He was accompanied by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka and BSF Director General Praveen Kumar during his visit to the border outposts of Gurnam and Bobiyian in the Hiranagar sector.
His visit comes amid heightened focus on border management to prevent infiltration by terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics, and stepped-up anti-terror operations that have left four hardcore Pakistani terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) dead in nearly a dozen encounters in Kathua, Udhampur and Kishtwar districts over the past two weeks.
Earlier in the day, Home Minister Shah paid tributes to martyred police personnel in Jammu. He met the families of the martyrs at Lok Bhawan and handed over compassionate appointment letters.
The Home Minister is on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. He is scheduled to review developmental projects on Saturday and e-inaugurate several projects during his stay in Jammu.
Union Home Minister visited the Border Out Posts (BOPs) ‘Gurnam’ and ‘Bobiya’ located on the India-Pakistan border during the second day of his visit to Jammu.
The Home Minister paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the “Ajey Prahari” memorial and also planted a sapling at the Border Outpost Bobiya.
Shah inaugurated projects worth ₹7 crore for the welfare of troops, including newly built solar water heaters, solar power plants, and an officers’ mess.
He also laid the foundation stone for BSF infrastructure projects worth ₹242 crore.
The event was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Director General of the Border Security Force, and other senior officials.
Addressing BSF personnel, Amit Shah said that whenever he visits BSF posts located in remote and challenging areas of Kutch, Rajasthan, or Jammu and Kashmir, he always returns with values of duty consciousness and unwavering commitment from the soldiers posted there.
He said that during such visits, he witnesses how BSF personnel perform their duties with deep dedication under difficult and challenging conditions.
The Home Minister described BSF personnel as the finest example of discipline and dedication, standing firm day and night to protect the nation’s borders.
He added that the BSF’s glorious 60-year history has instilled the same sense of discipline among the people of the country.
Union Home Minister said that whenever the nation’s borders have faced threats of intrusion or infiltration, the BSF has stood like an impregnable wall, resolute in its commitment to safeguarding the country.
He stated that the bravery and valor displayed by the BSF during Operation Sindoor have added a golden chapter to its six-decade-long history. Even in the most challenging times, BSF personnel upheld the spirit of “We are the sentinels of the border.”
He said that the BSF’s Jammu and Kashmir Frontier completely destroyed 118 Pakistani posts and three terrorist launch pads. In this operation, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imtiaz Ahmad and Constable Deepak Chingakham, who laid down their lives in the line of duty, were awarded the Vir Chakra, which is a matter of immense pride.
Shah also said that during this period BSF also received 16 gallantry medals and several commendation certificates.
Amit Shah said that whether deployed along the borders, in the difficult terrain of Manipur, or in Maoist-affected areas of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the BSF has demonstrated impeccable courage everywhere.
He praised the force for its outstanding humanitarian service during natural disasters, particularly in Punjab. Shah said that the Chief Minister of Punjab informed him that without the BSF, the challenges during floods would have multiplied manifold.
The BSF rendered invaluable service to the people of Punjab and extended extensive assistance during the crisis.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that it is a shared responsibility to ensure that the nation’s borders remain fully secure and vigilant.
He noted that border-related challenges have changed significantly over the past 60 years. While the courage, alertness, and dedication of personnel remain crucial, many emerging challenges are now technology-driven. Therefore, advanced technological solutions must be adopted to effectively address them.
He recalled that during the BSF Raising Day celebrations, he had announced that the 61st year of the BSF would be dedicated to modernization, as well as to the welfare of BSF personnel and their families. He added that a dedicated team in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is continuously working on both fronts.
Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India is fully committed to the welfare of security personnel.
He announced that a special welfare scheme for BSF personnel will be introduced soon. Moreover, the Government will invest substantial funds to technologically modernize the entire border security system.
This modernization will provide improved border infrastructure and advanced equipment for BSF personnel, enabling them to perform their duties more effectively.
Shah said these facilities will significantly reduce hardships faced by the soldiers and enhance their operational efficiency.
He added that it is because of the unwavering sense of duty, dedication, and commitment of BSF personnel stationed along the borders that the entire nation sleeps peacefully and feels secure.
The Home Minister also appreciated the significant contribution of women personnel in the BSF towards border security. He later had lunch with the soldiers.
